Reflux is a widely used technique in organic chemistry - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 2 - 2011
Question 2
Reflux is a widely used technique in organic chemistry.
Identify an experiment from your course where you refluxed a mixture.
Draw a fully labelled diagram of the ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Reflux is a widely used technique in organic chemistry - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 2 - 2011
Step 1
Identify an experiment from your course where you refluxed a mixture.
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Answer
One experiment conducted was the preparation of ethanoic acid (acetic acid) through the reflux of ethanol. In this process, ethanol reacts with an oxidizing agent to form ethanoic acid.
Step 2
Draw a fully labelled diagram of the reflux apparatus used in this experiment.
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The reflux apparatus diagram should include:
A round-bottom flask with the mixture inside,
An anti-bumping granule to ensure even boiling,
A condenser to allow vapor to cool and return to the flask, and
Labels indicating the flow of water in the condenser, and the heat source used.
Step 3
What happened to the liquid in the flask during reflux?
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During reflux, the temperature of the liquid in the flask increased, leading to the evaporation of some of the volatile components. The vapor then rose into the condenser, where it cooled, condensed back into liquid form, and returned to the flask, allowing the reaction to proceed without loss of reactants.
Step 4
How did refluxing this mixture help bring the reaction to completion?
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Refluxing allowed the reaction to occur over an extended period with constant temperature, providing sufficient time for reactants to interact. It also helped supply the necessary energy to overcome activation barriers, thus favoring the completion of the reaction.
Step 5
What natural product did you extract in the school laboratory using steam distillation?
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Answer
The natural product extracted in the laboratory was essential oil from lavender.
Step 6
What was the appearance of the material collected during the steam distillation?
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The appearance of the material collected was cloudy and milky, indicative of the emulsified essential oil in water.
Step 7
What substances distilled across along with the natural product?
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Water (H2O) and steam were the substances that distilled across along with the natural product.
Step 8
Identify one safety feature of the apparatus drawn. Explain how this feature contributes to the safe use of the apparatus.
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One safety feature is the steam trap in the apparatus. This feature prevents the buildup of excessive pressure by allowing steam to escape, thereby reducing the risk of explosions and ensuring safe operation.
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