Question

1. Fractionating column

2. Thermometer

3. Thermometer adapter

4. Distilling head

5. Round-bottom distilling flask

6. Clamps

7. Condenser

8. Water tubing for cooling

9. Vacuum adapter

10. Boiling chips/stones/beads

11. Round-bottom receiving flask

12. Heating mantle

13. Beaker for hot water bath

14. Hot plate

15. Closed-end capillary tubes (same as used with melting point)

16. Small or medium test tube

17. Rubber bands

Reagents

1. Ethanol

2. DI water

Above are the materials and products used in the fractional distillation procedure. Come up with 2 aspects of the protocol that are not green.

Answer 1

Analysing all the elements of the condenser set-up I can only come up with two elements that are not green or that has some hazard associated with them.

1. Thermometers :

Apparently, thermometers are very safe and efficient way to get a track of temperature of a system. But, it contains Mercury (Hg) in it which is extremely hazardous to environment as Hg is the main source of fatal diseases.

2. Rubber band :

Rubber bands apparently looks least harmful of all the elements. But, recycling rubber is very tough process as it stays in the environment and doesn't degrade easily. Moreover, rubber products cause skin irritations, respiratory disorders, etc