Required practical 5: distillation of a product from a reaction- preparation of an organic liquid

Describe the experiment of distillation

• add acidified potassium dichromate and sulfuric acid to a flask

• Pour mixture into pear shaped flask with still head containing the thermometer

• Attached to a condenser with cooled collection vessel

• Add anti bumping granules

• Heat flask gently

• Collect same of boiling point of desired product

Why do we use a cooled collection vessel?

• reduces evaporation of the product

Draw the diagram of distillation and label

Describe oxidation of primary alcohol to aldehyde experiment

• dissolve acidified potassium dichromate in sulfuric acid

• Add anti bumping granules and shake to mix contents

• Add an alcohol, shake the flask to mix the contents

• Keep test tube cool to avoid loss of volatile ethanol

• Gently heat

Why does the water go in at the bottom of the distilling apparatus?

• goes against gravity as this allowed more efficient cooling and prevent back flow of water

Why are electric heaters used?

• alcohols are highly flammable

Why should you never seal the end of the condenser?

• build up of gas pressure could cause the apparatus to explode