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Chapter 21: Problem 39

Describe a chemical procedure to separate a mixture of benzyl alcohol and o-cresol and to recover each in pure form.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The key difference between benzyl alcohol and o-cresol is their functional groups and boiling points. Benzyl alcohol has a hydroxyl group and a boiling point of 205°C, while o-cresol has a phenolic hydroxyl group and a boiling point of 191°C. This difference in boiling points can be used to separate them by utilizing a simple distillation technique.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the properties of benzyl alcohol and o-cresol

Benzyl alcohol and o-cresol are organic compounds with different chemical structures and properties. Benzyl alcohol is an aromatic alcohol with the formula C6H5CH2OH, while o-cresol is an aromatic phenol with the formula C6H4(OH)(CH3). The key difference between the two compounds is the functional group - a hydroxyl group in benzyl alcohol and a phenolic hydroxyl group in o-cresol. As a result, benzyl alcohol has a boiling point of 205°C, and o-cresol has a boiling point of 191°C. This difference will allow us to separate them using distillation techniques.
02

Set up a distillation apparatus

In order to separate the benzyl alcohol and o-cresol mixture, a simple distillation setup can be used. Prepare a round-bottom flask with the appropriate volume and connect it to a condenser with a receiving flask to collect the distilled compounds. Before starting the distillation process, make sure that all connections are made properly, and water is running through the condenser to ensure efficient cooling of the vapor.
03

Perform the distillation process

Add the mixture of benzyl alcohol and o-cresol to the round-bottom flask and gently heat the flask using a heating mantle or a water bath. As the temperature of the mixture increases, the compound with the lower boiling point, o-cresol, will start to evaporate and travel through the condenser where it will cool down and condense back into a liquid. Ensure that the heating temperature is controlled to avoid overlapping boiling points, which would make the separation less effective. Collect the distilled o-cresol in the receiving flask. Once the first distillation is complete, you should have o-cresol in your receiving flask and the benzyl alcohol left in the round-bottom flask.
04

Separate the remaining benzyl alcohol

After obtaining the o-cresol, the remaining compound in your round-bottom flask should be fairly pure benzyl alcohol. At this point, the two compounds have been separated; however, to obtain them in the purest form possible, perform a second distillation (fractional distillation) of each compound. This will ensure that any remaining impurities are removed.
05

Collect and store the purified compounds

As each compound has been separated and purified, transfer them to appropriate containers and label them accordingly. Store the purified benzyl alcohol and o-cresol in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources to ensure their stability and purity be maintained. By following these steps, you can successfully separate a mixture of benzyl alcohol and o-cresol into their pure forms by taking advantage of their different boiling points and utilizing a simple distillation technique.

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