Question

3. The steam distillation was run long enough to be able to isolate a measurable quantity of cinnamaldehyde, but not all the way to completion. (in other words, it is likely that you did not extract all of the cinnamaldehyde from the cinnamon sticks).

Which of the following results would provide clear, unambiguous evidence that all of the cinnamaldehyde contained in the cinnamon sticks had been isolated by the steam distillation process? For each answer(s) selected (there may be more than one correct answer), please provide a brief explanation.

a) The steam distillate collected in the Hickman still was cloudy.

b) The steam distillate collected in the Hickman still was clear.

c) The steam distillate stopped collecting in the Hickman still head.

d) The steam distillate vapor temperature was 99.0 °C

e) The steam distillate vapor temperature was 100 °C.

Answer 1

Answer is B and E.

The steam distillate collected in the Hickman still was clear.

As we provide the more heat faster process/forward reaction. Although there is no reaction really being done here, the steam distillation inside the Hickman still was transparent indicating that the temperature inside the Hickman still was hot, and when drawn the water out, the water was murky, white, and opaque.

The steam distillate vapor temperature was 100 ºC

Cinnamaldehyde has a boiling point is 248 degrees Celsius and water’s boiling point is 100 degrees Celsius and does not dissolve in water