Learning aim B: Explore the manufacturing techniques and testing methods for
an organic liquid
Title: Making a nail varnish remover
Aims:
- Correctly prepare and test the purity of ethyl ethanoate (an organic
liquid)
- Compare the laboratory and industrial manufacture as well as testing of
an organic liquid
Introduction:
I am a laboratory technician working in the research and development
department of a cosmetics company. One of the products made by the
company is nail varnish remover. The nail polish contains ethyl ethanoate. I am
investigating how to produce and test the purity of ethyl ethanoate so that the
company can make it efficiently. I am going to produce a sample of ethyl
ethanoate and test its purity. I am going to have to compare my laboratory
techniques with the industrial process used by the cosmetics company to
manufacture ethyl ethanoate on a large scale.
P3: Correctly prepare and test the purity of an organic liquid and
draw conclusions.
Ethyl ethanoate is an organic compound and is made by reacting ethanol with
ethanoic acid. It is a colourless, flammable liquid used for perfumes, flavouring,
and pharmaceuticals. It is often used as a component of nail polish removers.
Ethyl ethanoate is also recognised as ethyl acetate (C4H8O2)
, Ethyl ethanoate is utilised:
As a solvent for chemical reactions
In perfumes and fruits
In nail polish varnishes and removers
Decaffeination of tea leaves and coffee beans
Risk assessment:
Ethyl ethanoate – If ethyl ethanoate comes in contact with the eyes or skin, it
can cause irritation. Exposure can also cause you to feel lightheaded and dizzy.
Safety measures to prevent this risk is wearing safety goggles and gloves, as
well as handling ethyl ethanoate carefully. Exposure can also cause you to feel
lightheaded and dizzy. Safety measures to prevent this risk is wearing safety
goggles and gloves, as well as handling ethyl ethanoate carefully.
Glassware – broken glassware can cause cuts as it is sharp. Broken glassware
can also disrupt the workplace as small fragments of glass could go unnoticed.
One safety/control measure to prevent this hazard is carefully handling
glassware to prevent them from breaking. Moreover, if the glassware breaks,
immediately clean up the glass fragments as thoroughly as possible and ensure
to wear safety gloves/goggles.
Equipment:
Alcohol (ethanol)
Carboxylic acid (ethanoic acid)
Concentrated sulfuric acid (catalyst)
Anti-bumping granules
Bunsen burner
Stand and clamp
Round bottomed flask
Liebig condenser
Thermometer
Fractionating column
Separating funnel
Sodium carbonate (2ml)
Concentrated calcium chloride