Chapter 6 Simple Distillation

Objectives
At the end of this experiment, the students will be able to:

1. Understand the theory behind distillation and its application in organic chemistry;
2. Construct a distillation apparatus and identify its parts and components; and
3. Separate mixtures by performing distillation and determine the purity of the separated
components.

Overview
Distillation is a process for the purification or separation of components in a liquid mixture. The mixture is
heated to evaporate the volatile liquid components, and the vapor is then condensed to a liquid and
recovered as distillate. Familiar examples include the distillation of crude fermentation broths into
alcoholic spirits such as gin and vodka, and the fractionation of crude oil into useful products such as
gasoline and heating oil. In the organic chemistry laboratory, distillation is used for purifying solvents and
liquid reaction products. There are different types of distillation commonly employed are simple distillation,
steam distillation, fractional distillation under reduced pressure, and molecular distillation.

Distillation makes use of the different volatilities or boiling points of components in a mixture making it a
physical means of separation. At any temperature, some molecules of a liquid possess enough kinetic
energy to escape into the vapor phase(evaporation/vaporization) and some of the molecules in the vapor
phase return to the liquid (condensation). Thus, an equilibrium is established, with molecules going back
and forth between liquid and vapor. At higher temperatures, more molecules possess enough kinetic
energy to escape, which results in a greater number of molecules being present in the vapor phase as
shown below. As a result, the vapor pressure increases with increasing temperature. The temperature at
which the vapor pressure equals the atmospheric pressure is referred to as the boiling point of the liquid.
This temperature, boiling point, is constant for identical molecules. This is the phenomenon, which is the
basis for purification of organic compounds by distillation. In distillation process, the liquid organic
compound is converted into its vapor state at its boiling point and by subsequent cooling the vapors are
condensed into the liquid state.

Simple distillation
This is a technique used to purify liquids by removing non-volatile impurities or separating mixtures of
immiscible liquids differing in b.p. by at least 25°C, which must also present b.p. <150°C at atmospheric
pressure. The process is governed by Raoult’s law, which describes relationship between the vapor
pressure of each component in an ideal solution depends on the vapor pressure of each individual
component and the mol fraction of each component in the solution.
The most usual setup to perform distillation takes a round-glass joint flask, which should not be more than
half full, a distillation adapter (may not be needed if distillation flask is used), thermometer, water-jacketed
condenser, distillation adapter, and collector flask. The assembly must have clips, clamps, and clamp
holders connected to a support stand; make sure all joints are snug. The heat source can be a heat plate
or heating mantle, and for homogeneous boiling, a boiling stone should be used or, if available for the heat
plate, an appropriately sized stir bar for magnetic stirring the flask liquid. The cooling circuit of the
condenser must be connected so that the water input is the nearest to the distillation bottom and the exit
closest to the distillation adapter with the thermometer.

Procedure
First, the clamp and clamp holder are fixed to a support stand (or lab frame) at the lab desk or fume hood.
Then the round-bottom flask is placed on the hot plate, adjusting a clamp at its neck to the support stand.
If applicable, a distillation adapter (three-way adapter) is connected to the flask, while the thermometer is
placed such that its bulb is below the lower level of the lateral line of the distillation connector so that it is
in the vapor stream of the distillation. Then another clamp and clamp holder are adjusted to the support
stand to fix the condenser, which is attached or jointed to the arm of the distillation flask or the three-way
adapter. The condenser should then be inclined to allow the condensed vapor to drop into the receiving
flask. Another distillation adapter is mounted with a receiver container, where the distillate is collected.
Finally, the rubber tubing is connected to a water-jacketed condenser to provide the water (inlet from
water supply, lower end, and outlet to sink, upper end). The receiving container should be placed in an ice-
water bath.

In this experiment a sample of rum should be prepared. Record the mass of the empty receiving container.
Place boiling chips inside the distillation flask before introducing 50 mL of rum in the flask. Start the cooling
circuit of the condenser by attaching the inlet tubing to the tap and the outlet draining into the sink. Start
heating the mixture, keeping an eye on the thermometer. The rum is heated until it boils, and the hot
vapors will travel up to the condenser. Take note of the temperature when it is constant, which is the
boiling point of the liquid being distilled. Droplets will run down the condenser and collected in the
receiving container. Stop the distillation once the temperature rises rapidly again. This is done by removing
or turning off the heat source and replace the receiving container with a new one. Record the temperature
and volume of the distillate by transferring it into a graduated cylinder. By determining the mass 𝑚 and
volume 𝑉 of the distillate the density 𝜌 can be calculated,
𝑚
𝜌= .
𝑉
Determine the temperature of the distillate and calculate its density at that temperature. Compare it with
the density of ethanol at the same temperature and determine the relative error 𝑒𝑟
𝜌distillate − 𝜌etOH
𝑒𝑟 = × 100%,
𝜌etOH

where 𝜌distillate is the calculated density of the distillate at a specific temperature and 𝜌etOH is the density
of ethanol at the same temperature. Finally, take a small sample of the distillate into an evaporating dish
and test its flammability. The flammability confirms the identity of the distillate.

Precautions
Use glassware and heating mantle very carefully. This will save your money and grades. Use gloves while
handling chemicals but never on hot glassware. Gloves are not thick enough to insulate your hands from
the heat. Connect the apparatus properly, loose jointing will allow vapors to escape and possibly harm
someone—which might be you. Add porcelain chips to avoid bumping of liquid while boiling. NEVER drop
a boiling stone into hot liquid or you may be rewarded by having your body soaked in the hot liquid as it
foams out at you. Never fill the distilling flask more than half full. Never distil to dryness. The residue left
in the distillation flask may contain peroxides, which could ignite or explode after all the liquid has distilled
away.
 CHY 42.1
Simple Distillation

Name Date
Section Schedule
Group members Score

Data Sheet
1. Complete the table below by filling in the necessary data.
Temperature at distillate formation, °C
Temperature of distillate, °C
Mass of empty receiver, g
Mass of receiver with distillate, g
Mass of distillate, g
Volume of distillate, mL

Density of distillate, g/mL (show solution)

Relative error, % (show solution)

2. Is the distillate flammable? _____________________________________________________