2) why should you use a minimum amount of water to rinse the conical vial while transferring the purified acetaminpophen to the hirsch funnel?
I would think too much water would cause too much solubility loss of the product.
Using a minimum amount of water to rinse the conical vial while transferring purified acetaminophen to the Hirsch funnel is important for several reasons:
1. Efficient Transfer: Using a minimum amount of water ensures that all the purified acetaminophen gets transferred to the Hirsch funnel. If you use too much water, some of the acetaminophen might remain trapped in the water layer, resulting in loss of product.
2. Maximizing Product Recovery: By minimizing the amount of water used, you can optimize the recovery of acetaminophen. The less water present, the easier it is to separate the acetaminophen from any impurities. Additionally, using a minimum amount of water ensures that the collected acetaminophen does not get diluted.
Here's how you can achieve this:
1. Pour the purified acetaminophen solution from the conical vial into the Hirsch funnel slowly, ensuring minimal splashing or introduction of air bubbles. You can use a glass rod or pipette to carefully guide the solution.
2. Allow the acetaminophen solution to pass through the Hirsch funnel under gravity or with gentle vacuum assistance. The solid acetaminophen will collect on the filter paper while any remaining impurities or water will pass through.
3. Once most of the liquid has passed through, you can rinse the conical vial with a minimum amount of water to ensure complete transfer of the remaining acetaminophen. Use the rinsing water sparingly, avoiding excessive amounts.
4. Gently pour the rinsing water into the Hirsch funnel. The small amount of water will help to wash down any remaining acetaminophen from the vial walls, maximizing product recovery.
Remember, the key is to strike a balance between transferring all the acetaminophen and using a minimum amount of water for efficient recovery.