Manufacturing Techniques for Organic Liquids
Reflux
The reflux technique is used in some reactions, mainly organic compound reactions, to control the
reaction. Most organic compounds have low boiling points. The reflux technique allows the
compound to reach its boiling point and vaporise but at the top of the reflux column, it condenses
and turns back into a liquid continuously.
Equipment
Reflux funnel
Clamp
Conical flask
Bunsen burner
Gauge
Heat proof mat
Water source
Funnels
Method of reflux
Reflux is a technique that allows organic substances to be heated for a very long time whilst
minimising the amount of substances that is evaporated into the surroundings to produce a greater
yield.
1. The reaction mixture is heated in a flask fitted with a reflux condenser (Liebig condenser).
2. This Liebig condenser consists of two tubes, one inside the other, and the space between
these tubes allows water to flow through which cools down any gases present, to cause
condensation.
3. All the vapours rising during the reaction mixture during heating enter the condenser and
condense back into liquids thus returning to the flask so that the unreacted compounds can
react.
4. The use of anti-bumping granules in the reaction mixture prevents formation of large gas
bubbles by providing nucleation sites for small bubbles to develop, which provides a safer
and more stable reaction mixture that helps to make the boiling smooth so that it does not
bubble over.
Distillation
Large scale distillation can be used to separate mixtures of two or more organic liquids. It is the
process of separating our compounds within a liquid state because of the differences in their boiling
points. This process works as all liquids have a specific temperature at which they boil. As liquids are
heated, their vapour pressure increases and when this pressure reaches the point that it is equal to
atmospheric pressure, the liquid begins to boil. A liquid with a low vapour pressure has a higher
boiling point than a liquid with a high vapour pressure.
Equipment
Thermometer
Water
Liebig condenser
Reflux
The reflux technique is used in some reactions, mainly organic compound reactions, to control the
reaction. Most organic compounds have low boiling points. The reflux technique allows the
compound to reach its boiling point and vaporise but at the top of the reflux column, it condenses
and turns back into a liquid continuously.
Equipment
Reflux funnel
Clamp
Conical flask
Bunsen burner
Gauge
Heat proof mat
Water source
Funnels
Method of reflux
Reflux is a technique that allows organic substances to be heated for a very long time whilst
minimising the amount of substances that is evaporated into the surroundings to produce a greater
yield.
1. The reaction mixture is heated in a flask fitted with a reflux condenser (Liebig condenser).
2. This Liebig condenser consists of two tubes, one inside the other, and the space between
these tubes allows water to flow through which cools down any gases present, to cause
condensation.
3. All the vapours rising during the reaction mixture during heating enter the condenser and
condense back into liquids thus returning to the flask so that the unreacted compounds can
react.
4. The use of anti-bumping granules in the reaction mixture prevents formation of large gas
bubbles by providing nucleation sites for small bubbles to develop, which provides a safer
and more stable reaction mixture that helps to make the boiling smooth so that it does not
bubble over.
Distillation
Large scale distillation can be used to separate mixtures of two or more organic liquids. It is the
process of separating our compounds within a liquid state because of the differences in their boiling
points. This process works as all liquids have a specific temperature at which they boil. As liquids are
heated, their vapour pressure increases and when this pressure reaches the point that it is equal to
atmospheric pressure, the liquid begins to boil. A liquid with a low vapour pressure has a higher
boiling point than a liquid with a high vapour pressure.
Equipment
Thermometer
Water
Liebig condenser
