Question

Discuss why you did a steam distillation (as opposed to a simple distillation) to isolate clove oil from whole cloves. Why did the newly condensed steam distillate appear cloudy in the receiving flask? Report your yield percent of clove oil and discuss if the percent is a reasonable value. Discuss why the refractive index is a good way to analyze a liquid.

Answer 1

The procedure requires steam distillation since the clove oil compound consists of Eugenol and Eugenol acetate, the Eugenol constitutes to more than 85% of the clove oil and has very high boiling point (more than 200C) due to which steam distillation is required for the distillation procedure

The newly condensed steam appears cloudy if the temperature of the flask burner is too high, then clove can form cloudy bubbles at the top of the flask

The percent yield of the clove will be more than 85% using steam distillation