RP5 - Distillation of a reaction product

Question 1

What is distillation?

Answer 1

Distillation is a technique where a liquid is heated to create a vapour which is cooled by a condenser, causing the gas to condense into a liquid and drip into a separate flask. The species separate due to relative volatilities and boiling
points.

Question 2

What equipment is used for distillation?

Answer 2

Distillation is either done with:
● Semi-micro distillation apparatus
● Quickfit apparatus (pear-shaped or round-bottomed flask
with a liebig condenser, still head, stopper, receiver
adaptor, fitted with a thermometer and collection vessel).

Question 3

Oxidising agents are often used in distillation. What is an oxidising agent?

Answer 3

Oxidising agents oxidise other chemicals by receiving electrons from them.
Oxidising agents are in turn reduced.

Question 4

Why are anti-bumping granules used in distillation?

Answer 4

To allow smooth boiling- preventing
bubbles caused by vapour to cause
upwards splashing in the flask.

Question 5

How do you isolate a liquid product?

Answer 5

You can use a separating funnel to isolate the organic layer from the aqueous layer. Shake the flask. Allow the layers to separate. Then open the tap and run off one layer into a separate container.

Question 6

What are some common potential

hazards and risks in the laboratory?

Answer 6

Bunsen burner-burns
chemicals-may be irritant corrosive, causing irritation to skin, eyes, lungs ~may be toxic~may be flammable
glasswear - may break and cut you

Question 7

How can hazards be prevented

Answer 7

keep bunsen burners away from flammable chemicals, wear eye protection, keep glasswear away form edge of desj