Chemistry EE Topic Ideas + examples

Are you struggling to find a topic for your Chemistry extended essay? The possibilities are endless as long as the topic relates to the syllabus. Clastify is here to help! Below you can find a list of 15 ideas with examples for inspiration. 
 

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Analytical chemistry

Nutrient analysis

Reaction rates

Organic chemistry

Materials & nanoparticles

Chemistry EE ideas 
 

1. Vitamin C concentration in citrus fruit juices: Vitamin C plays a crucial role in human health as an antioxidant and enzyme cofactor. Given its importance, the student investigated how storage conditions, specifically temperature and time, affect the vitamin C content in citrus fruit juices, hypothesizing that higher temperatures and longer storage times will lead to decreased concentrations of vitamin C due to degradation processes. The concentration was measured through iodine titration and spectrophotometry.
   
    

2. Saponification values and pH of oils: Soap production through saponification involves combining alkalis like sodium hydroxide with oils or fats, resulting in a chemical reaction that produces soap. In this case, the student conducted an experiment to find out how different types of oil (palm oil, avocado oil, castor oil, and olive oil) contribute to the production of soap bars. To optimize their soap recipe, the research aimed to determine which oils produced soap bars with a pH closest to 7, aiming for safety and effectiveness in skin care.
   
    

3. Methods of determining the amount of copper in brass: In this analysis, you would investigate which of the methods: iodometric titration, spectophotometry, or potentiometry yields the most accurate result. In this EE the student used these methods to determine the composition of a plumbing connector. Apart from the accuracy of the results other aspects such as the interference of other ions, duration, chance of human error, or the requirement for other reagents were considered in evaluating the different procedures.
   
    

4. Iron content in vegetables: Here, you would research which vegetables should be included in an anemic individual’s diet. By comparing different vegetables (potato, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, and onions), this Extended Essay explores which vegetables should be consumed by anemic-prone individuals to stay within the recommended daily intake and which cooking method (raw vs. steamed) would minimize iron loss. Iron concentration was determined through titration. 
   
    

5. Kolbe Electrolysis: Recently, there has been renewed interest in the Kolbe reaction for industrial applications, particularly in the synthesis of hydrocarbons from sustainable sources like biomass. This investigation focuses on the Kolbe electrolysis of ethanoic acid, exploring how varying solution pH and sodium ethanoate concentration affect the rate and yield of ethane production. By studying these variables, researchers aim to optimize the Kolbe reaction for industrial-scale hydrocarbon synthesis, potentially replacing traditional nonrenewable sources with sustainable alternatives.
   
    

6. Extraction of polyphenols from Rosmarinus officinalis: In this topic, you could investigate how the type of solvent (ethanol and propanone) and its solvent-to-water ratio in the extraction of polyphenols affect the total phenolic content extracted from rosemary. With rising interest in natural antioxidants, research on polyphenols like those found in rosemary aims to replace synthetic antioxidants in various industries.
   
    

7. Presence of sulfur dioxide in chopsticks: In this case, through titration and combustion, you would assess whether the amount of sulfur dioxide in disposable chopsticks is a potential health hazard. The quality of chopsticks varies by brand, with cheaper, lesser-known brands posing a greater risk due to the use of inferior wood and bleaching agents. Regulatory standards for sulfur dioxide content in chopsticks vary, with limits set to ensure consumer safety. Investigating the presence of sulfur dioxide in chopsticks is crucial for understanding potential health hazards and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
   
    

   
    

8. Rancidification of vegetable oils: Rancidification, caused by exposure to air, light, moisture, or bacteria, accelerates oil spoilage. The shelf life of vegetable oils depends also on factors such as iodine value, acid value, oxidative stability, and hydrolysis rate. This EE determined to what extent these factors affect the hydrolysis rate of fatty acids in the oil.  The student used the Kaufmann test, measuring iodine value through bromination due to its accuracy and reliability.
    
    

9. Cation’s effect on aggregation: Nanoparticles, with dimensions between 1-100 nm, bridge the gap between molecular structures and bulk materials, exhibiting size-dependent properties like optical characteristics. Silver nanoparticles have notable antibacterial effects and find applications in medical treatments. The research question focuses on how different cations added via salt solution influence the rate and extent of aggregation in silver nanoparticle synthesis.
    
    

10. Chemiluminescence of Luminol: Through this topic, you would investigate how varying concentrations of hydrogen peroxide affect the light emitted during the oxidation of luminol using hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite. Apart from its use in glow sticks, there are many practical applications to luminescence. Bioluminescent bacteria are used for quality control in the pharmaceutical industry, the medical use includes the detection of nitric oxide in the breath of asthma patients whereas in forensics luminol is used to detect blood.
     
     

11. Fischer-Speier esterification reaction: Esters, synthesized through esterification, result from the reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol, finding applications in various industries including food, soap manufacturing, pharmaceuticals like aspirin, and polyesters. The Fischer-Speier Esterification Reaction, a type of esterification, offers advantages as it is thermodynamically controlled, yielding more stable esters due to its slow nature and allowing the use of weaker acids, resulting in less toxic byproducts. By deciding on this topic, you would research to what extent the type of alcohol used in the Fisher-Speier esterification reaction affects the average rate of reaction as measured through back titration. 
     
     

12. Concentration of harpagoside in the equine mane: Here, you would asses how the concentration of harpagoside, which is identified by the surface area of the spot on the chromatography paper, changes in equine mane after gradual consumption of a supplement. Compliance with anti-doping regulations set by organizations is crucial for professional riders to uphold fair competition standards. The investigation aims to use TLC screening to track the concentration of harpagoside, a FEI-controlled substance found in Devil's Claw supplements, in equine mane to assess the feasibility of rapid mane testing for doping control.
     
     

13. Mass of phenolic and flavonoid contents of apple varieties: Beyond fiber and Vitamin C, apples contain phytochemicals, particularly phenolic compounds, which have attracted scientific interest for their health benefits. This research aims to determine which of the five most popular apple varieties (Granny Smith, Royal Gala, Red Jonaprince, Golden Delicious, or Champion) contains the highest mass content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, indicating their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity. 
    
     

14. Composition of carbonated drinks: In this extended essay the student investigated how different storing times affect the composition of Coca-Cola drinks, considering H3PO4 concentration and sugar content.  The main aim of this experiment is to determine whether a long-stored bottle of Coca-Cola is still safe for people to drink, or if the concentrations of its components have changed beyond the regulatory limits. 
    
     

15. Reaction of Polymer-Analogous Transformation: In this case, you could examine the effect of changing the concentration of the reagent on the formation rate and the diffusion coefficient observed in the reaction of  Polymer-Analogous Transformation, from salt to base, of Chitosan. This EE is drawn from existing research for data analysis.