Purification of Organic compounds..

Core practical 11: Purification of Organic Compounds

Specification points:

-techniques and procedures for preparing and purifying a liquid organic product including the use of a separating funnel and of Quick fit or reduced scale apparatus for distillation and heating under reflux

---

For example: Describe how the student can obtain a dry, pure sample of 1-bromobutane from the reaction mixture.

Equipment:

• Separating funnel

• Distilled water

• Beaker

• Anhydrous Magnesium sulphate (drying agent)

• Sodium carbonate = used to remove any unreacted acid

Method:

1. Add the reaction mixture to the separating funnel.

2. Add 2g of Sodium Carbonate to remove any unreacted acid

3. Add distilled water to allow the layers to separate. = aqueous layer forms on top as the density of the organic layer is greater than the density of water.

4. Allow the organic layer to run out and collect in a separate conical flask/beaker.

5. Add small quantities of Anhydrous Magnesium sulphate to the organic layer to absorb the water content.

6. Filter the organic layer to remove the anhydrous agent.

7. Evaporate away the excess water and leave to dry.