Question

.You work in a research laboratory where acetone is routinely used for final rinsing of glassware that has been recently cleaned, and washed with deionized/distilled water. These acetone rinsings are collected in clean containers, so that the “used” acetone may be recycled and re-used. The research group member who typically carries out the task of purifying the used acetone, so that it is ready for re-use, graduates and leaves to accept a new job; this task now falls upon you. Upon consulting with the other group members, you develop your plan. Describe your detailed “plan of action”

Answer 1

Ans.

1. Arrange to have the acetone collected from the clean containers into a screw-top sealing carboy.

2. Schedule the use of a fume hood and distillation apparatus & flask of appropriate size once a week, or as appropriate.

3. Distill and collect pure acetone as scheduled. Make use of a thermometer in the distillation apparatus.

4. Since acetone's boiling point is 56C, significantly lower than water, the 1st fraction collected will be pure acetone. When the thermometer rises above 56C, cease collection of distillate. If desired, save the remainder of the contents of the distilling flask, and combine with used acetone as it begins collecting again, as the process repeats.