Why was the tert. butyl chloride finally washed with water?
Science
Tert-butyl chloride is often washed with water to remove any residual impurities or byproducts from the reaction. This process is known as aqueous workup and is commonly performed in organic chemistry. The purpose of washing with water is to separate the organic layer (containing tert-butyl chloride) from any remaining impurities or water-soluble byproducts.
To understand why tert-butyl chloride is washed with water, let's break down the process:
1. Impurities Removal: Throughout the synthesis of tert-butyl chloride, various side products or impurities might be generated. These impurities can affect the purity and quality of the final product. By washing with water, the impurities can be selectively dissolved in the aqueous layer, leaving behind a purified organic layer.
2. Water-Soluble Byproducts: Some reactions may produce water-soluble byproducts or unreacted reagents. Washing with water helps to remove these substances from the organic layer, reducing their presence in the final product.
The washing process involves the following steps:
1. Transfer the tert-butyl chloride to a separatory funnel or a container suitable for liquid-liquid extraction.
2. Add an appropriate volume of water to the container containing tert-butyl chloride.
3. Vigorously shake or mix the contents to ensure thorough contact between the organic and aqueous layers. This allows the impurities, byproducts, or water-soluble compounds to dissolve in the water layer.
4. Allow the two layers to separate. The denser organic layer (containing tert-butyl chloride) will settle at the bottom, while the aqueous layer will form on top.
5. Collect the aqueous layer, which contains the dissolved impurities, byproducts, or water-soluble compounds.
6. Optionally, perform additional washes with fresh portions of water to ensure optimal purification.
7. Discard the aqueous layer and retain the organic layer, which now contains the purified tert-butyl chloride.
So, in summary, tert-butyl chloride is washed with water to remove impurities, water-soluble byproducts, and achieve a higher level of purity in the final product.