Submitted by: Submitted by missc23
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Category: Science and Technology
Date Submitted: 02/06/2009 12:48 AM
Simple Distillation
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this experiment was to purify a volatile organic liquid containing a nonvolatile impurity.
BACKGROUND/TECHNIQUE
Simple distillation allows distillates to separate from a less volatile substance that remain as residue at the end of the process. Ideally, only one of the components will be volatile so the distillate will be the pure compound.
A liquid solution is heated to its boiling point, so that the vapor is condensed. The condensation separates from the original mixture.
EQUIPMENT
• 25 ml round-bottom flask
• Distillation apparatus
• Thermometer
• Aluminum Foil
• Sand Bath
• Hotplate/stirrer
• Magnet/spin vane
• Pasteur pipette
• Spectrophotometer
• 6 ml cyclohexane/dye mixture
• 2-Plastic hoses
• Ring stand
• A Clamp
• Water faucet
PROCEDURE
A Pasteur pipette was used to add 6 ml of cyclohexane containing a nonvolatile dye in the 25 ml round-bottom flask. A spin vane was added to the flask. The simple distillation apparatus was then assembled as seen in Figure 1. Once assembled, a small, square piece of aluminum foil was fastened to the top of the apparatus. A small hole was poked into the aluminum foil so that the thermometer would stay in place. The thermometer was positioned so that the tip was level with the bottom of the sidearm of the distillation head. The 2 plastic hoses were attached to the valves on the condenser. The hose furthest from the round bottom flask was attached to the water faucet. The cold water was turned on and allowed to circulate through the condenser and hoses. The apparatus was checked before heating the still pot.
Distillation
Once thoroughly checked, the still pot was heated gradually on the hotplate/stirrer. When the liquid began to boil and the condensing vapors reached the thermometer bulb, the heat was reduced so that distillation could continue at 2-4 drops per second. The temperature was recorded when the drops became constant. The...