Lilly Connor Unit 4-
Assignment B
Making Ethyl Ethanoate:
Practical:
Aim:
The aim of this was to prepare and produce a sample of ethyl ethanoate and test
its purity with a range of different methods.
Preparation:
1. Firstly, 15cm3 of ethanol and 10cm3 of ethanoic acid was added to a round-
bottom flask along with a few anti-bumping granules.
2. Next, 1cm3 of concentrated sulphuric acid was added slowly.
3. The round bottom flask was then attached to the reflux condenser, and
using an electric heater, it was heated until the boiling point was reached.
4. Next, reflux was carried out for 30 minutes, then the mixture was allowed
to cool before purification.
Purification:
1. Firstly, the mixture was added to a separating funnel with 20cm 3 of water.
The bung was put in and then the contents was shaken.
2. Next, the layers were left to separate then the aqueous layer was poured
out. This step was repeated with another 20cm 3 of water.
3. Next, 5cm3 of sodium carbonate was added, then this was swirled until no
more gas bubbles were being produced.
4. Next, the aqueous layer was then removed.
5. Another 20cm3 of water was then added, and then the aqueous layer was
poured off.
6. A spatula full of magnesium carbonate was then added to a conical flask
then the organic layer was run off into it.
7. The liquid was then transferred over into a clean flask.
8. The product was distilled, and the boiling point of the distillate was recor-
ded.
Reflux:
Most organic chemicals are quite instable so when heated, they will evaporate
and product can be lost. Reflux is a method used to react chemicals at a high
temperature. It consists of a round bottom flask containing the reactants, and a
double tube (condenser) which has a water outlet and a water inlet. The
reactants are chemically reacted whilst being heated at a high temperature
causing the reactants to evaporate. As this is taking place, cold water is being
ran through the surrounding condenser, meaning that condensation takes place.
This method is used to minimise the loss of product as much as possible. No gas
can escape during this method and as condensation occurs, the vapours simply
go back into the reaction tube. Reflux is done over a long period of time so that
the reaction can complete.
, Lilly Connor Unit 4-
Assignment B
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Schematic-of-reflux-setup_fig2_287346837
Distillation:
Distillation is a process used to separate compounds that are in a liquid state
through the different boiling points. For example, if you have three different com-
pounds in a liquid state (e.g.- A, B and C) which all have differing boiling points,
and you want to get rid of one of them, if you were to increase the temperature
to the compound’s boiling point, this would boil that compound, causing it to be
turned into a gas. This then travels down a condenser with a double tube, which
allows cold water to travel through the surrounding tube, and also allows cold
water to travel out. The cold water in the surrounding tube causes the compound
that is travelling down it as a gas to condensate, enabling it to travel to the op-
posite end of the condenser, and be transferred to a conical flask or glass
beaker. At this point, you now have the two compounds that you wanted in the
round bottom flask, and the compound you removed in a separate conical flask
or glass beaker. Distillation is a useful technique as it purifies a liquid through
the processes of evaporation and condensation.
Assignment B
Making Ethyl Ethanoate:
Practical:
Aim:
The aim of this was to prepare and produce a sample of ethyl ethanoate and test
its purity with a range of different methods.
Preparation:
1. Firstly, 15cm3 of ethanol and 10cm3 of ethanoic acid was added to a round-
bottom flask along with a few anti-bumping granules.
2. Next, 1cm3 of concentrated sulphuric acid was added slowly.
3. The round bottom flask was then attached to the reflux condenser, and
using an electric heater, it was heated until the boiling point was reached.
4. Next, reflux was carried out for 30 minutes, then the mixture was allowed
to cool before purification.
Purification:
1. Firstly, the mixture was added to a separating funnel with 20cm 3 of water.
The bung was put in and then the contents was shaken.
2. Next, the layers were left to separate then the aqueous layer was poured
out. This step was repeated with another 20cm 3 of water.
3. Next, 5cm3 of sodium carbonate was added, then this was swirled until no
more gas bubbles were being produced.
4. Next, the aqueous layer was then removed.
5. Another 20cm3 of water was then added, and then the aqueous layer was
poured off.
6. A spatula full of magnesium carbonate was then added to a conical flask
then the organic layer was run off into it.
7. The liquid was then transferred over into a clean flask.
8. The product was distilled, and the boiling point of the distillate was recor-
ded.
Reflux:
Most organic chemicals are quite instable so when heated, they will evaporate
and product can be lost. Reflux is a method used to react chemicals at a high
temperature. It consists of a round bottom flask containing the reactants, and a
double tube (condenser) which has a water outlet and a water inlet. The
reactants are chemically reacted whilst being heated at a high temperature
causing the reactants to evaporate. As this is taking place, cold water is being
ran through the surrounding condenser, meaning that condensation takes place.
This method is used to minimise the loss of product as much as possible. No gas
can escape during this method and as condensation occurs, the vapours simply
go back into the reaction tube. Reflux is done over a long period of time so that
the reaction can complete.
, Lilly Connor Unit 4-
Assignment B
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Schematic-of-reflux-setup_fig2_287346837
Distillation:
Distillation is a process used to separate compounds that are in a liquid state
through the different boiling points. For example, if you have three different com-
pounds in a liquid state (e.g.- A, B and C) which all have differing boiling points,
and you want to get rid of one of them, if you were to increase the temperature
to the compound’s boiling point, this would boil that compound, causing it to be
turned into a gas. This then travels down a condenser with a double tube, which
allows cold water to travel through the surrounding tube, and also allows cold
water to travel out. The cold water in the surrounding tube causes the compound
that is travelling down it as a gas to condensate, enabling it to travel to the op-
posite end of the condenser, and be transferred to a conical flask or glass
beaker. At this point, you now have the two compounds that you wanted in the
round bottom flask, and the compound you removed in a separate conical flask
or glass beaker. Distillation is a useful technique as it purifies a liquid through
the processes of evaporation and condensation.
