Question

Distillation is a technique that is to purify liquid compounds. Use theoretical data to explain how distillation is used to separate the target product in this reaction from any residual unreacted starting material in the reaction. [2 marks] With this reaction: 2-methyl-2 butanol to 2-chloro-2-methylbutane (b.2-85.5 degree C)

Answer 1

Distillation is good technique to purify liquid compounds in the above reaction the starting material or reactant is 2-methyl -2 butanol and its  boiling temperature is 102-103^o C and boililng temperature of product 2- Chloro 2- methyl butane is 85 - 86^oC. Since diffrence in the boiling points is 18 ^oC. So the product can be separated from the reaction mixture through fractional distillation. After completion of reaction start distillation process preferably through fractional distilation collect if any compound distil before 85^oC and seperate this fraction. Then Collect the compound which distil at 85-86^oC and seperate this fraction.This is the pure product. The residual unreacted 2 methyl 2-butanol will be in the distilation flask.