Chemistry: extraction of clove oil (Eugenol)

uses of clove oil

flavouring, pain killer

steam distillation fucntion

lowers the temp required to evaporated clove oil

precautions for experiment

make sure to have a safety opening to prevent explosion and that its below the water surface
wear rubber gloves as eugenol is corrosive

why clove buds used

because oil content highest at this stage

extraction of clove oil

steam distill buds of clove oil with a safety tube coming out of steam generator
after 30 minutes disconnect steam generator to prevent suck back
collect cloudy pale milky emulsion
tiny droplets of clove oil suspended in water

liquid liquid extraction of eugenol

shake emulsion into cyclohexane with venting to allow vapour to escape
eugenol dissolves in cyclohexane
allow solution to seperate into layers
remove water from cyclohexane and eugenol
evaporate cyclohexane

 draw structure of eugenol