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Chapter 1: Problem 6

How would you separate into its different components (a) a mixture of the volatile gases propane, butane, and isopropane? (b) a solution of rubbing alcohol made up of isopropyl alcohol and water?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: (a) To separate a mixture of propane, butane, and isopropane, follow these steps: 1. Cool the mixture to condense the gases into liquids, 2. Perform fractional distillation, and 3. Collect the separated components. (b) To separate a solution of rubbing alcohol containing isopropyl alcohol and water, follow these steps: 1. Prepare the mixture, 2. Carry out liquid-liquid extraction using a separatory funnel, 3. Separate the layers, 4. Collect the separated components, and 5. Remove residual water from the isopropyl alcohol using a drying agent.

Step by step solution

01

Cooling the mixture to condense the gases into liquids

To separate the volatile gases, first cool the mixture below their boiling points to condense them into liquids. This can be done by allowing the gases to flow through a cooling system.
02

Fractional distillation

Perform fractional distillation on the liquefied mixture. In this process, the mixture is heated in a fractionating column, which has a temperature gradient. Each component will vaporize at different temperatures based on its boiling point. Since propane, butane, and isopropane have boiling points of -42°C, -0.5°C, and -11.7°C, respectively, they can be separated effectively.
03

Collecting the separated components

As each component reaches its boiling point, it will vaporize and rise through the fractionating column. The vapors are then condensed and collected separately. Propane will be the first to vaporize, followed by isopropane, and finally butane. ##Separating a solution of isopropyl alcohol and water##
04

Preparing the mixture

First, obtain the solution of rubbing alcohol containing isopropyl alcohol and water. Make sure the sample size is appropriate for the separation technique to be used.
05

Liquid-liquid extraction

Carry out liquid-liquid extraction using a separatory funnel. Add the alcohol-water mixture to the funnel, along with an organic solvent (e.g., diethyl ether) that is immiscible with water but can dissolve isopropyl alcohol. Gently mix the contents to allow the solvent to dissolve the isopropyl alcohol.
06

Separating the layers

Let the mixture sit in the separatory funnel until two distinct layers form. The organic solvent layer containing the isopropyl alcohol will generally be on top (depending on the solvent used), while the water layer will be on the bottom.
07

Collecting the separated components

Open the stopcock of the separatory funnel and carefully drain the water layer out of the funnel. Collect this separately. Next, drain the organic solvent layer containing the isopropyl alcohol into another container.
08

Removing residual water from the isopropyl alcohol

Add a drying agent (e.g., anhydrous sodium sulfate) to the organic solvent layer containing isopropyl alcohol to remove any traces of residual water. After adequately mixing, filter the resulting solution to isolate the pure isopropyl alcohol.

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