Cagatan, Jay Marie B.

September 14, 2020

Activity No. 1

SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

I. INTRODUCTION

The separation of mixtures of compounds to give the pure components is of great practical
importance in chemistry. Many synthetic reactions give mixtures of products and it is necessary
for you to have a reasonably clear idea of how mixtures of compounds can be separated. There are
several methods of purification of organic compounds. A large number of methods are available
for the purification of substances. The choice of method, however, depends upon the nature of
substance, whether solid or liquid. It also depends on the type of impurities present in it.
In this activity, the students are enlightened with the different methods of purification, how
important these methods are and their applications.

II. OBJECTIVES
After completing this activity, the students are expected to:
a. Discuss the different methods of separation and purification of organic compounds;
b. Observe each applications of the purification methods;
c. Know the significance of purification of a certain organic compounds; and
d. Identify which method is best for purifying some organic substances.

III. APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

Filtration Sublimation Simple distillation Fractional distillation

Salt solution and sand Benzoic acid Acetone and water Acetone
Beaker Carbon dust Burner Benzene
Filter funnel Spatula Distilling flask Fractionating column
Filter paper Glass rod Condenser Burner
Conical flask Porcelain capsule Receiving flask Round-bottom flask
Lighter Clamps Thermometer
Filter paper Clamp stand Condenser
Cotton wool Thermometer Erlenmeyer flask
Lighter Clamp
Funnel Clamp stand
Watch glass
Tripod and gauze
Burner
Iodine
 Steam distillation Crystallization Differential extraction Chromatography
Steam generator 250ml beaker Separate funnel Water
Safety tube Glass rod Solvent Binder clips
Steam tube Crude sample of benzoic acid Stand with clamp Black marker
Thermometer Distilled water Alcohol
Condenser Cold water Filter paper
Receiver flask 250 ml beaker
Distilling flask Funnel
Tripod stand Filter paper
Burner Tripod stand
Stand bath Wire gauze
Condenser Basin
Separate funnel Stand with clamp
Water Burner
Test tube
Spatula
Dropper

IV. PROCEDURE
I. Filtration
1. Using a beaker, mix sand, salt, and top water.
2. Following the set up below, filter the mixture.

3. Observe what remains in the filter paper (residue) and what goes
through the flask (filtrate).
II. Sublimation
1. Mix the carbon dust and benzoic acid in the porcelain capsule.
2. Put a filter paper on the capsule.
3. Put the funnel with its head close to the filter paper.
4. Place it on top of the tripod and gauze.
5. Record the observations.
6. Follow the set-up below.
III. Simple distillation
1. Prepare the distillation set-up. Follow the diagram below.
2. Pour 25ml of the solvent in the distillation flask.
3. Heat up the solution until small amount of distilled water will be
collected.

IV. Fractional distillation

1. Prepare the distillation set-up. Follow the diagram below.
2. Put mixture in the distillation flask.
3. Insert fractionating column between distillation flask and water
condenser.
4. Heat flask on water-bath.
5. At a steady temperature of 329K, acetones distilled out and collect it as
first fraction in the first receiver.
6. The vapours of benzene are cooled in the column and liquid benzene
tricks down back into the flask.
7. When acetone is distilled out completely, the temperature starts and the
receiver is changed.
8. When the temperature becomes steady at 353K benzene distilled out
and collect it as second fraction in the receiver.
9. Record the observations.
V. Steam distillation
1. prepare the distillation set-up. Follow the diagram below.
2. Place the mixture together with some water in the flask which is
connected to a steam generator on one side and a water condenser on
the other.
3. Heat the mixture to avoid the condensation of steam in it.
4. Record the observations.

VI. Crystallization
1. Prepare the solution of the impure sample.
2. Take about 150 ml distilled water in a beaker.
3. Boil the water in the beaker over the burner.
4. In another beaker, take about 3g of crude sample of benzoic acid.
5. Using a dropper, gradually add a minimum quantity of boiling water just
sufficient to dissolve the benzoic acid. Stir the solution using the glass rod.
6. Place a fluted filter paper in the funnel and clamp the funnel to the stand.
7. Place a beaker under the funnel. Pour the solution into the funnel over the
glass rod and collect the filtrate in the beaker.
8. Cool the hot saturated solution by placing the beaker in trough containing the
cold water.
9. Clamp the funnel in which a filter paper is fixed to the stand.
10. Place a beaker under the funnel and separate the crystals by filtration.
11. Wash the crystals with cold water. Place the crystals on a filter paper which
soaks up the solution.
12. Transfer the crystals to another filter paper and dry them by pressing gently
between the folds of the filter paper. Transfer the crystals into a dry test tube.
VII. Differential extraction
1. Prepare the differential extraction set-up as shown below.
2. Mix the aqueous solution with a small quantity of the organic solvent
in a separating funnel.
3. Add distilled water and shake gently. Do not forget to release the
pressure.
4. Keep it standing to get layer.
5. Separate the aqueous layer

VIII. Chromatography ( partition chromatography)

1. Cut the filter paper into a strip for about an inch wide and about 4
inches long.
2. An half inch
from the tip of
the filter
paper, draw a
dot using the
black marker.
3. Attach the
other end of
the filter paper
to the middle
of the stick
and secure it with binder clips.
4. Hang the filter paper in the beaker.
5. Pour the alcohol until it is just barely touching the tip of the filter paper
6. Record the observations.
V. DATA AND RESULTS
Methods/Techniques Observations
Crystallization Converts an impure compound into it’s
crystals.
Sublimation The solid substances changes to vapor without
undergoing liquid state.
Chromatography Separates, purifies, identifies and characterize
the components of a mixture, where colored or
colorless.
Differential Extraction Recovers organic compounds either solid or
liquid from their aqueous solution.
Distillation Converts liquid into vapors by heating the
condensation of the vapor to produce cooling.
Fractional Distillation Separates liquid mixture into individual
components.
Steam Distillation Separates and purifies organic compounds
from nonvolatile organic or inorganic
impurities.
Filtration separating of substances based on their
different physical and chemical qualities.

VI. QUESTIONS

1. Discuss and differentiate the different methods of purification and indicate its
applications and limitations of use.
2. Why is the purification process important in certain organic chemical reaction?
3. What criteria and test should be utilized to identify and characterize organic
compounds?
4. Indicate at least 3 properties of a good extraction solvent.
5. Suggest an appropriate and easy separation technique for getting “potable” water
from murky water.

VII. ANSWERS
1. The different methods of purification are:
a. Sublimation – The transition of a substance from the solid phase to the
gaseous phase without changing into the liquid phase. Sublimation finds
practical application in forensic sciences. Chemists usually prefer sublimation
as a purification method to purify volatile compounds.Only substances with
 vapor pressures become equal to the atmospheric pressure before achieving
melting point are capable of this method.
b. Crystallization – A process by which an impure compound is converted into
crystals. is used as a separation and purification process for the synthesis and
isolation of co-crystals, pure active pharmaceutical ingredients (API),
controlled release pulmonary drug delivery, and separation of chiral isomers.It
is only based on the difference in the solubilities of the compound and the
impurities in a suitable solvent.
c. Distillation - The conversion of liquids into vapors by heating followed by
condensation of the vapors thus produced by cooling. Distillation is also
employed on an industrial scale to purify the liquid products obtained from
chemical synthesis. Commonly used for liquids which are sufficiently stable
at their boiling point and does not contain nonvolatile impurities.
d. Fractional Distillation – The separation of such a liquid mixture into
individual components. Fractional distillation is used in several industries like
oil refineries and chemical plants mainly for purification and separation of
many organic compounds. A type of distillation which involves the separation
of miscible liquids.
e. Steam Distillation- separation and purification of those organic compounds
solids or liquids which are insoluble in water, are volatile in steam, possess a
high vapor pressure, and contain non-volatile impurities. Widely used in the
manufacturing of essential oils, for instance perfumes. It is a separation
process for temperature sensitive substances.
f. Filtration - separate solids from liquids or gases using a filter medium that
allows the fluid to pass through but not the solid. As a physical operation is
very important in chemistry for the separation of materials of different
chemical composition.
g. Chromatography – Used to separate constituent particles of a mixture of
substances, to purify the compounds and check the purity of organic
compounds. It is used to determine drug estimation from drug formulations.
This method is used for the separation of colored substances found in plants as
described by Tswett, 1906.
h. Differential Extraction - Used for the separation of an organic compound such
solid or liquid from its aqueous solution by shaking with a suitable solvent in
a separating funnel. Has broad application in a wide variety of biological
sample processes for analysis and identification. This method is normally
applied to nonvolatile compounds.
2. Purification of organic compounds is important in a certain organic chemical reaction
since organic components made in the laboratory are usually contaminated with small
amounts of other compounds which are produced along with the desired product.
 Before carrying out the chemical reaction of the organic compounds, in order to attain
the chemical reaction, it is very important of purify them.
3. The classical criteria for determining the purity of organic compounds are correct
elemental compositions and sharpness of melting point or constancy of boiling point.
This are important in spite of the fact that these analytical and physical criteria are,
they can be deluding or indeed futile.
4. A good extraction solvent should have a strong solubilizing capability for the
compound of interest, it should be immiscible or only weakly miscible with the
matrix solvent, the extraction solvent should be non-flammable, non-toxic or of low
toxicity, reasonably volatile, and of low eco-impact.
5. In order to get a potable water from a murky water, distillation is the most appropriate
and easiest separation technique. In this technique distillation process will remove
unwanted impurities of the murky water and prevent contamination.

VIII. CONCLUSION

Having a variety of tools and methods to separate and collect a purified product is
essential in practical Organic Chemistry, and choosing the proper techniques often
requires knowledge and consideration of the desired product. When you look at the
bigger picture, these methods may be easier to conceptualize than to actually apply in the
lab. This separation and purification techniques has a great help to our evolving world in
industries and manufacturing. This methods are important especially in the inventions of
new pharmaceuticals and innovations that makes our life easier.

IX. REFERENCES
Nagpal, M. s. (2016). Retrieved from classnote.org.in:
https://classnotes.org.in/class11/chemistry/organic-chemistry-some-basic-
principles-techniques/purification-of-organic-compounds/
#Differential_Extraction

Kerala, 2020. Retrieved from byjus.com:

https://byjus.com/jee/purification-of-organic-compounds/

John D. Robert and Marjorie C. Caserio (1977). Retrieved from chem.libretexts.org:

https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Organic_Chemistry/Book
%3A_Basic_Principles_of_Organic_Chemistry_(Roberts_and_Caserio)/
09%3A_Separation_Purification__Identification_of_Organic_Compounds

VIDEOS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfWnDGDWWVI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8vhL5GkqJ4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FggvNDlkJxo
X. DOCUMENTATION