THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

In some way, the majority of the liquids are actually partially miscible to a certain
extent than how we thought it would be completely miscible to most. Having said that, a
liquid is considered to be partially miscible towards a certain liquid when two phases are
formed during the mixing process but still slightly combine (fleming 2022). Furthermore,
this case usually occurs in a combination of both polar and nonpolar liquids. For some
pairs, solubility increases as the temperature increases which eventually leads to a
critical solution temperature where it becomes miscible in all compositions. Likewise,
partially miscible liquids become miscible at ordinary circumstances by lowering or
raising the temperature.

The case of combining diethyl and water is used in the organic chemistry
laboratory to utilize the two-phase liquid system using a separatory funnel method
where the solubility of partially miscible liquids can be differentiated. An example of
which is the combination of methyl acetate and carbon disulfide where the critical
temperature is reached at 230 K (ferloni & Spinolo, 1974). Furthermore, the mixture of
hexane and nitrobenzene also portrays a similar behavior to which complete miscibility
is reached at 293 K. On another hand, some immiscible liquids become completely
miscible on a lower critical temperature than that of the others and separate into two
phases at lower temperatures such as the combination of water and trimethylamine. In
contrast, other liquids when combined form a one-phase mixture at a higher
temperature and separates into two liquid phases at lower temperature readings.

In this experiment, mixtures of known composition which are phenol and water
are combined together and heated until they become completely miscible. This was
tested and determined through the solubility curve of phenol in water and in contrast.

OBJECTIVES

One of the main objectives of this experiment is to determine the solubility of two
partially miscible liquids with each other. Furthermore, it also aims to identify the
temperature where both liquids will become completely miscible or known as the critical
solution temperature. Through mixing both liquids and constant addition of each per
trial, determination of their solubility was made possible.

SIGNIFICANCE

Determination of the solubility of partially miscible liquids bears a lot of

significance and application on both our day to day life and in the industry. One of which
is the formulation of phenolic disinfectants which uses the principle of critical solution
temperature which is determined through studying the solubility of liquids. These
disinfectants, specifically lysol ones, use phenol as an additive to make it completely
miscible in water. Furthermore, it also plays a significant role in the extraction of drugs
for certain analysis. Moreover, finding out the solubility of these liquids contribute in the
formulation of pharmaceutical drugs that need to be soluble enough on our body such
as our blood, stomach and nervous system to be safe for intake. Lastly, it also bears
significance in the purification and recrystallisation, specifically in finding a suitable
solvent for certain circumstances. Without knowing the solubility of these liquids, the
formulation of products we use in our daily lives such as soap, alcohol and even the
food we eat will not be possible.

Amresco. (2010). Material safety data sheet. Retrieved from

https://www.unl.edu/cahoonlab/Phenol%20MSDS.pdf.

Bertulino, H. (2022). Why is solubility important to human life. Retrieved from

https://studybay.com/blog/importance-of-solubility-in-everyday-first/.

Choudry, A. (2018). Partially miscible liquids, critical solution temperature and

applications. Retrieved from https://www.pharmaguideline.com/2021/10/partially-
miscible-liquids-critical-solution-temperature.html.

Mitry, S. (2021). Partially miscible liquids. Retrieved from

https://solutionpharmacy.in/partially-miscible-liquids/.

Amresco. (2010). Material safety data sheet. Retrieved from

https://www.unl.edu/cahoonlab/Phenol%20MSDS.pdf