Question

Explain how the methylcyclohexene(s) can be distilled from the reaction mixture if the distillation temperature is kept below 100 degrees

Answer 1

Distillation is a process of separation of a compound from the liquid mixtureby selective evaporation and condensation. It is a powerful tool, where the required component is allowed to boil and condense itand then collect the resultant.

The boiling point of cyclohexene is 83⁰C. It can be separated from the reaction mixture of non-volatile or less volatile material.

For the distillation of a component, the boiling points of the components in the mixture should be quite apart from each other. Else, they cannot be separated.

If the boiling point of the reaction mixture is above 100 ⁰ C, and the distillation is kept below 100 ⁰ C at around 83⁰C, it is possible to distill out cyclohexenes.