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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: marns99 on October 11, 2018, 04:20:56 PM

Title: Testing Purity of Ester (Butyl Acetate)
Post by: marns99 on October 11, 2018, 04:20:56 PM

Hi everyone,

In my lab we are doing an experiment to synthesize an ester, butyl acetate. I have to make my own procedure. To test the purity, I have the option of doing a melting point analysis or refractive index. Which should I use? I was thinking refractive index because my product is liquid. If I wanted to do melting point, would I need to change my procedure?

For context, my procedure is:
1. synthesis- reflux acetic acid, butanol, sulphuric acid
2. extraction- with water twice, then sodium bicarbonate
3. purify- simple distillation

Thank you!

Title: Re: Testing Purity of Ester (Butyl Acetate)
Post by: Babcock_Hall on October 11, 2018, 05:22:35 PM

Have you looked up the melting point of butyl acetate?