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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: dolphinsea14 on January 27, 2020, 08:04:17 AM

Title: Separate mixture of benzoic acid and methanol
Post by: dolphinsea14 on January 27, 2020, 08:04:17 AM: How can I separate mixture of Benzoic Acid and Methanol?
Title: Re: Separate mixture of benzoic acid and methanol
Post by: chenbeier on January 27, 2020, 09:48:32 AM: Neutralization, then destillation,
Title: Re: Separate mixture of benzoic acid and methanol
Post by: dolphinsea14 on January 27, 2020, 11:56:42 AM: By neutrallization benzoic acid will turn into salt and remain in water, and distillation will help to recover the methanol since it has lower boiling point?
Title: Re: Separate mixture of benzoic acid and methanol
Post by: hollytara on January 27, 2020, 12:02:24 PM: You can probably just distill off the methanol - or use a rotovap.

The benzoic acid BP is much higher.
Title: Re: Separate mixture of benzoic acid and methanol
Post by: dolphinsea14 on January 27, 2020, 12:22:10 PM: Ok, thank you both hollytara and chenbeier, very much. I really appreciate your help.
Title: Re: Separate mixture of benzoic acid and methanol
Post by: chenbeier on January 27, 2020, 02:05:26 PM: If not converted to the Salt, then probably you get benzoeic acid methyl ester, if try to distille.
Title: Re: Separate mixture of benzoic acid and methanol
Post by: rolnor on January 27, 2020, 03:51:24 PM: Quote from: chenbeier on January 27, 2020, 02:05:26 PM
If not converted to the Salt, then probably you get benzoeic acid methyl ester, if try to distille.

No, you need strong acid catalyst to make ester, benzoic avid is week acid.
Title: Re: Separate mixture of benzoic acid and methanol
Post by: jeffmoonchop on January 27, 2020, 05:11:24 PM: Just evaporate off the methanol.