Core practical 5 - Distillation of a product from a reaction

Question 1

What is the first step in distillation of a product from a reaction?

Answer 1

Add 10cm3 of dilute sulfuric acid to pear shaped flask - Sulfuric acid acts as a catalyst and medium for oxidising agent

Question 2

What is the second step of this practical?

Answer 2

Add 3g of potassium dichromate to the flask - acts as the oxidising agent will oxidise the alcohol.

Question 3

What is the third step of this practical?

Answer 3

Add anti-bumping granules to the flask - These ensure smooth boiling prevent violent bubbling

Question 4

What is the fourth step of this practical?

Answer 4

Set up distillation apparatus with flask connected to a condenser and a collecting tube - Allows to separate the desired product from the reaction mixture

Question 5

What is the 5th step of this practical?

Answer 5

Add 2cm3 of ethanol dropwise to warm the potassium dichromate while heating - prevents vigerous reaction and so ethanal distils of before being oxidised

Question 6

What is the sixth step?

Answer 6

Collect distillate at 20-80 - ethanal boils at around 21 so ensures collection of aldehyde higher temperature will form ethanoic acid

Question 7

What is seventh step?

Answer 7

Wash distillate with sodium carbonate solution and then water - Neutralises acid impurities water will remove soluble by-products

Question 8

What is the last step

Answer 8

Dry organic product with an anhydrous salt - removes the water gives dry product. test purity