The distillation apparatus shown in the diagram below was used to extract clove oil from cloves - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 1 - 2015

The part of the apparatus labelled A is called the Liebig condenser.

The purpose of A in this experiment is to cool and condense the vaporized clove oil and water mixture back into liquid form.

The cold water should enter at Y and exit at X for effective cooling of the condenser.

The emulsion of clove oil and water collected at B would appear milky and cloudy in nature.

The structure of a cyclohexane (C₆H₁₂) molecule is depicted as:

     H   H
      \ /  
   H - C - H
    /       \
H - C       C - H
    \       /
   H - C - H
      / \  
     H   H

Alternatively, it can be represented in a hexagonal shape:

   H   H
  /       
H          H
|          |
H          H
  \       / 
   H   H

The upper layer in the diagram can be described as organic, since cyclohexane has a lower density than water and will thus float above it.

To ensure that all of the clove oil ends up in the organic layer, one should:

• Use a stopper to seal the separating funnel
• Shake or invert the funnel to mix the layers thoroughly
• Release any vapours by opening the tap or stopper
• Repeat shaking if necessary to mix the layers
• Allow the layers to separate and drain the organic layer into a separate container.

The clove oil can be isolated from the cyclohexane by evaporating the solvent using heat or distillation methods, such as a water bath or hotplate, to leave behind the pure clove oil.