Question

) Why must one be careful when using diethyl ether in the lab? How is that different than when working with chloroform? 2.) Both methanol and ethanol are formed in fermentation processes. Why must they be separated if the solution is going to be used for drinking beverages? How are they separated?

Answer 1

1)Diethyl ether is a volatile chemical that can easily catch fire or even explode.Its vapor can be ignited not only by an open flame but also by heat sources or even static electricity. In addition, it can produce explosive peroxides when exposed to light and air. This chemical also poses an inhalation hazard, and can cause irritation of the eyes and skin.

Chloroform is toxic if swallowed or inhaled. It causes severe and irreversible health effects, including death. Short-term exposure to high levels of chloroform damage the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. Long-term exposure to lower levels of it damage the liver and kidneys.

2)methanol is highly flammable and toxic. Direct ingestion of more than 10mL can cause permanent blindness by destruction of the optic nerve, poisoning of the central nervous system, coma and possibly death. These hazards are also true if its vapors are inhaled.

Separation-Distil the mixture as three component distillation(methanol-ethanol-water).This is based on the fact that ethanol form azeotrope mixture with water but methanol can't.