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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: ScottJohnson on March 28, 2005, 09:57:36 PM

Title: separation of two miscible liquids
Post by: ScottJohnson on March 28, 2005, 09:57:36 PM

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone knew of a method APART from distillation to separate ethanol (BP 78 C) and diethyl ether (BP 35 C).

Also, do the two compounds react with each other in any way?

thanks a lot,
Scott

Title: Re:separation of two miscible liquids
Post by: Mitch on March 29, 2005, 12:02:07 AM

No they won't react. Distillation is the best/easiest way to go.

Title: Re:separation of two miscible liquids
Post by: ScottJohnson on March 29, 2005, 04:06:11 AM

hi yes I know it is the best and easiest way, but are there any other ways?

Title: Re:separation of two miscible liquids
Post by: HP on March 29, 2005, 06:06:10 AM

Hi,

If you work with small quatities of this mixture try to disolve in reflux excess of anhydrous CaCl2 which with C2H5OH form CaCl2.xC2H5OH.After phase seperation of the mixture destilate the ether under vacuum(room temp) and after its full evaporating become heating to destilate the C2H5OH from CaCl2..I am not sure if it works and with anhydrous CuSO4 well ???

Title: Re:separation of two miscible liquids
Post by: ScottJohnson on March 29, 2005, 07:07:34 AM

hi there,
thanks for the info, can you please briefly explain "dissolve in reflux excess", i'm not sure what reflux is.

also, where is CaCl2 obtainable from?

oh one more thing, how can you distil the ether under a vacuum at room temp? and what is the point of heating to distil the c2h5oh?

thanks very much for your help

Title: Re:separation of two miscible liquids
Post by: movies on March 29, 2005, 04:29:29 PM

You could separate them by extraction with water.  Water and ethanol are miscible, but ether and water are not.

You'd have a tough time getting the ethanol back pure though.  You'd probably have to distill away from the water.

Title: Re:separation of two miscible liquids
Post by: HP on March 30, 2005, 04:31:05 AM

Well,

CaCl2 is readily available dehydratant, diethil ether have bp 35C at normal presure but under vacuum it boils at room temp. C2H5OH will become boiling in heating(i dont know apriori what temp but with sure it will be below 78C;) under reduce pressure from its molecule inclusion in CaCl2.xC2H5OH...