Discussion

Numerous organic solvents in the market contains impurities and therefore, being purified in
the laboratory for specific purposes. In acquiring purified solvents, the utilization of the principle of a
technique may be applied: distillation. Distillation is a process performed for separation and elimination
of various liquid mixtures based on their differences in the conditions required such as the boiling points
of liquids in order to reform or change the phase of components of the mixture.

The principle of distillation utilizes thermal energy forcing the components of the mixture to
enter gas phase to isolate the liquids. Once done, the gas is condensed back into liquid and
accumulated. This process is then repeated on the accumulated liquid to enhance and improve the
purity of the product. The principle of repeating distillation is known as double distillation. There are
different types of distillation employed and utilized in processes: simple distillation, fractional
distillation, steam distillation, and vacuum distillation.

Potassium permanganate may be described as a strong oxidizing agent which appears purple.
This substance is commonly and widely utilized as an analytical test for the determination of oxidizable
content or component in a given sample while reducing or decreasing manganese in potassium
permanganate yielding in the disappearance in its purple color. Hence, if the sample composts of less
oxidizable content, the time taken for the disappearance or dissipation of its color is greater.

In the given laboratory distillation set-up, 50 mL of potassium permanganate solution and 25 mL

of acetone is poured in a distilling flask then adding two small boiling points and is heated to collect the
distillate at 50 deg Celsius. Thus, in this experiment, the distillate will contain pure acetone and will get
rid of water and oxidizable impurities.