Question

Purification of the crude isopentyl acetate is performed by distillation. The entire product is added to a 50-mL round bottom flask, containing several boiling stones to prevent super-heating and bumping of the crude isoamyl acetate during distillation. A simple distillation is performed to collect the isoamyl acetate. The flask is heated in using a heating manifold. The isopentyl acetate will boil and condense and will be collected. This distillation will significantly purify the material, but not if there is alcohol or water present. You should collect your material when you have a product at the appropriate boiling point of the ester.

my question is how distillation does work to purify isopentyl acetate??

Answer 1

At first, Isopentyl and Acetic acid are taken in a Distillation column.

Now the reaction is heated to reflux where the reaction rate doubles for a increase in 10 degree celsius

After 1 hour the reaction is cooled and water is added, the layers are seperated and the organic layer is washed with sodium bicarbonate and seperated to neutralize excess acetic acid and any H2SO4 present.

Now the Organic layer is dried over anhydrous MgSO4 or anhydrous H2SO4 because the presence of water effects the distillation column.

The Organic layer is distilled in which liquids are purified