Topic (Distillation) Please answer and explain (why?) Q1- When performing the di
ID: 563867 • Letter: T
Question
Topic (Distillation)
Please answer and explain (why?)
Q1- When performing the distillation, what is the order that the compounds present in the organic layer are
evaporated off?
a) First the water is evaporated off, then acetic acid, and lastly H2SO4.
b) Any residual water is distilled, followed by isopentyl acetate, and lastly isopentyl alcohol.
c) Any residual water is distilled, followed by isopentyl alcohol, and lastly isopentyl acetate.
d) First the water is evaporated off, then H2SO4, and lastly acetic acid.
Q2- Why is it difficult to allow for perfect separation in this distillation?
a) The boiling points between isopentyl alcohol and isopentyl acetate are only 12°C apart.
b) Acetic acid is present in the organic layer, making it difficult to separate out the desired species.
c) Due to the fact that this is an equilibrium reaction, too much of the reagents are present. This makes the product
extremely hard to isolate.
d) There is no reason that perfect separation cannot be accomplished.
Explanation / Answer
Distillation
1. When performing distillation compounds are evaporated based on their boiling points from the organic layer,
the order of evaporation thus is,
C) any residual water, followed by isopentyl alcohol and lastly isopentyl acetate.
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2. It is difficult for perfect separation during this distillation because,
the boiling points between isopentyl alcohol and isopentyl acetate are only 12 oC apart.
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