how would you produce a pure sample of hexane
To produce a pure sample of hexane, you can follow these steps:
1. Obtain a mixture containing hexane: Hexane can be commonly found as a component in petroleum ether or as a solvent in laboratory solvents. Alternatively, you can purchase hexane from a chemical supplier.
2. Perform a distillation process: Distillation is a commonly used technique to separate components in a mixture based on their boiling points. Since hexane has a boiling point of around 69 degrees Celsius, you can use distillation to separate it from other components with different boiling points.
a. Set up a distillation apparatus: This typically includes a round-bottom flask to hold the mixture, a distillation column (also called a fractionating column), a condenser, and a receiving flask to collect the hexane.
b. Heat the mixture: Apply heat to the round-bottom flask and gradually increase the temperature. Hexane will evaporate as its boiling point is reached.
c. Condense the hexane vapor: The hexane vapor rises up the fractionating column and condenses in the condenser due to cooling from a water bath or cold water circulation. This condensation helps separate hexane from impurities or other components.
d. Collect the pure hexane: The condensed pure hexane drips into the receiving flask as a liquid while other impurities or higher boiling point components remain in the distilling flask.
3. Purify the collected hexane further (if necessary): Depending on the desired level of purity, additional purification steps can be performed. These may include techniques like drying with a drying agent, filtering, or using specific solvents for extraction if there are still impurities present.
Remember to always follow proper safety procedures, work in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood, and carefully handle and dispose of any chemical waste generated during the process.