Question

Propose in detail how would you separate and purify a mixture of acetone and toluene. Give detailed descriptions.

Answer 1

A mixture of acetone and toluene can be separated by distillation as they have considerable difference in ther boiling points. B.p of acetone is 56C and that of toluene is 80C. The temperature is raised to 56C and kept constant while all the acetone evaporates and collected in a distillation flask after condensation. Since the b.p. of toluene is much higher, the temperate of  56C would notaffect any of the toluene and the mixture is effectively separated. Furthermore, acetone is miscible in water while toulene is not. If the leftover toluene solution is washed repeatedly with water, it will was away any small amount of acetone remaining, leaving behind the pure toluene solution.