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ritwik06
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Can I separate water from Carbon tetrachloride by the method of fractional distillation? (I agree separating funnel is a better method)
chemisttree said:Carbon tetrachloride boils at 76C and water at 100C. They should be separable by simple distillation. The carbon tetrachloride will be saturated with water. You may not see it but water will be dissolved in the organic phase. Leave the distilled carbon tetrachloride standing over finely divided anhydrous sodium sulfate for a day should dry it up fairly effeciently and give you an almost anhydrous product.
You should realize that carbon tet is a liver toxin and that this procedure should be performed in an efficient hood.
Fractional distillation separates substances based on their boiling points. Since water has a lower boiling point than carbon tetrachloride, it will vaporize first and can be collected separately.
The process of fractional distillation involves heating the mixture of water and carbon tetrachloride in a flask. As the mixture reaches its boiling point, the vapors rise up into a fractionating column, where they condense and re-vaporize multiple times. This process separates the components based on their boiling points, with the lower boiling point substance condensing and being collected first.
To separate water from carbon tetrachloride by fractional distillation, you will need a round-bottom flask, a fractionating column, a condenser, a collection flask, and a heat source. You may also need a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the mixture.
It is important to ensure proper ventilation when performing fractional distillation, as some substances can release harmful vapors. Additionally, the heat source should be carefully monitored to prevent overheating. Protective equipment, such as gloves and safety glasses, should also be worn to avoid any potential accidents.
Yes, fractional distillation can be used to separate a variety of substances based on their boiling points. It is commonly used in industries such as oil refining and chemical production. However, the specific equipment and procedures may vary depending on the substances being separated.