Organic Lab Project Separating a Mixture and Identifying an Unknown Component.
The goal of this project is to separate a three-compound mixture (benzoic acid, 3-nitroaniline and an unknown)
and then identify the unknown component. The unknown component will be purified by recrystallization and
characterized by melting point to determine its identity.
Melting points of possible unknowns in the mixture
Unknown Melting point (oC)
1-nitronaphthalene 58
biphenyl 71
naphthalene 81
benzil 95
fluorene 115
benzoin 133
camphor 178
anthracene 218
You will have to design a procedure that will be used to carry out the entire work. You will start with 2 g of a
mixture that will be assigned by your TA. Remember to record the Unknown code you are assigned. Each
mixture is made up of benzoic acid, 3-nitroaniline and an unknown that can be one of the six compounds listed
in the table above.
The chemicals available to you are as follows:
Mixture of benzoic acid, 3-nitroaniline, and unknown
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)
5% HCl solution
5% NaOH solution
3M HCl
3M NaOH
Anhydrous magnesium sulfate
Recrystallization solvents: hexanes or ethanol
You will design a procedure to carry out the separation of the mixture, the recrystallization of the unknown
component and its identification. Your design needs to include data measurements that will help you report the
following items in your detailed report later:
1. Total percent recovery of all components
2. Percent composition by mass of each component recovered – must add to 100%
3. The solvent that was selected for recrystallization of the unknown.
4. Percent recovery of the unknown via recrystallization
5. Melting point of the recrystallized unknown
6. Identification of the unknown component.
It is advisable to leave a little bit of the crude unknown aside as you try to purify the rest by recrystallization
from an appropriate solvent – possible recrystallization solvents are hexanes or ethanol.
Week 1 – Designing the experiment
Your typed design/procedure should be structured in a fashion similar to a procedure from one of the
experiments we have performed this semester. The design must include the following:
Purpose
State the goal of this experiment/project.
Equipment and Chemicals
List the equipment and chemicals that you will be using for the experiment.
Background
A flow chart can be used to describe the separation scheme that you will be using to separate the mixture.
Safety Precautions
Mention any safety precautions that must be taken in working with chemicals like benzoic acid, 3-nitroaniline,
sodium hydroxide solution, hydrochloric acid, MTBE, hexanes, and ethanol. Fisher Scientific’s web link below
can help you access safety data sheet of a chemical by typing in the compound’s name in the “search” button.
https://www.fishersci.com/us/en/catalog/search/sdshome.html
Procedure
Write out your step-by-step procedure showing quantities of chemicals, glassware and apparatus you plan to
use.
A copy of the typed design will have to be given to your Lab TA during lab period of Week 1 for grading. TAs
will discuss your procedure with you in the lab and any modifications that may be needed.
