Purifying Chemicals by Distillation Lab

Results and Observations:

Table 1. Observed temperatures of the 50:50 unknown solution distilled per mL during a simple
distillation of a 25.0 mL solution.
Volume of Solution Distilled (mL) Temperature (°C)
0.0 23
1.0 43
2.0 44
3.0 44
4.0 45
5.0 46
6.0 46
7.0 47
8.0 48
9.0 49
10.0 50
11.0 53
12.0 56
13.0 59
14.0 60
15.0 63
16.0 64
17.0 66
18.0 69
19.0 71
20.0 73
21.0 50
22.0 38

Table 2. Observed temperatures of the 50:50 unknown solution distilled per mL during a fractional
distillation of a 25.0 mL solution.
Volume of Solution Distilled (mL) Temperature (°C)
1.0 40
2.0 35
3.0 30
4.0 29
5.0 30
6.0 43
7.0 45
8.0 51
 9.0 58
10.0 64
11.0 68
12.0 71
13.0 74
14.0 75
15.0 75
16.0 74

Table 3. Table of qualitative observations recorded throughout the simple and fractional distillations of
the purifying chemicals by distillation lab.
Qualitative Simple Distillation Observations
- 25.0 mL of 50:50 solution measured was
transparent, colourless, and had a pungent
odour.
- The initial temperature of the solution was
23 °C.
- Temperature of the solution increased
linearly as the solution distilled.
- Heating and distillation of the solution
occurred over a long duration.
- Temperature decreased significantly after
21.0 mL distilled, sign the distillation was
complete.
Qualitative Fractional Distillation
Observations
- 25.0 mL of 50:50 solution measured was
transparent, colourless, and had a pungent
odour.
- The initial temperature of the solution was
not measured; a procedural error.
- The temperature of the solution increased
exponentially, and at a faster rate than
simple distillation.
- Temperature values for 3.0 to 5.0 mL of
the solution distilled were significantly
lower than expected values.
- Thermometer readings increased after 6.0
mL of the solution distilled after the
thermometer position was adjusted.
- The solution distillation stopped at 16.0
mL after a significant loss in volume of
the solution and temperature decrease.