Chapter 21, Problem 44A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The given compounds should be ranked in order in which they distilled out from a mixture during distillation.

Concept introduction:

Distillation technique is used to separate the components of mixture, when the volatility of substances of mixture of two or more substances are different.

Answer to Problem 44A

Compound	Boiling point ( ${}^{\text{o}}\text{C}$ )
methane	-161.7
propane	-42.1
butane	-0.5
hexane	68.7
octane	125.7

Explanation of Solution

Given:

Compound	Boiling point ( ${}^{\text{o}}\text{C}$ )
hexane	68.7
methane	-161.7
octane	125.7
butane	-0.5
propane	-42.1

In distillation process, heat is used to separate out the various components present in the mixture of miscible liquids. Since, heat is used in this process so, the boiling point of the components in the mixture play an essential role. The process involves repeated distillations and condensations. The basic principle for this process is that different liquids on heating boils and evaporates at different temperatures thus, the component possessing lower boiling point will boil first and gets converted to vapor.

Hence, the rank of compounds in order to distill first to distill last will be:

Compound	Boiling point ( ${}^{\text{o}}\text{C}$ )
methane	-161.7
propane	-42.1
butane	-0.5
hexane	68.7
octane	125.7