Fractional Distillation and Gas Chromatography

CHEM 3152-003 Experiment 2: Fractional Distillation and Gas Chromatography Introduction: The purpose of this experiment was to separate a mixture of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and toluene by using the method of fractional distillation and to analyze the fractions using gas chromatography (GC). ethyl acetate toluene Distillation is a method known as separating or purifying a liquid or mixture by vaporization and condensation. In a simple distillation, the liquids being separated boil below 150 0C at 1 atmosphere from …

…percentage. In Fraction 3, there was a 100 % recovery of toluene. In Distillation 2, Fraction 1 distillate, ethyl acetate again prevailed as the higher percent recovery. In Pot 1 and Distillate 3, Toluene was the leading candidate for major percent recovery. An finally, in Pot 3, ethyl acetate came in with the major percent recovery which was an error due to the mix-up of vials. This experiment allowed us to learn the correct techniques and procedures for gas chromatography and fractional distillation.