Objective
To determine the efficiency (percent recovery) of simple distillation in separating acetone–water
mixtures.
Laboratory requirements (apparatus & reagents)
Simple distillation assembly: distillation head, thermometer and adapter, condenser,
receiver (graduated cylinder / collection flask), clamps & stands
Heating mantle or hot plate with magnetic stirrer (or Bunsen burner with wire gauze)
Boiling stones or anti-bumping granules
Graduated cylinders or pipettes (for measuring liquids)
Acetone (analytical grade) and distilled water
Principle / Theory
Simple distillation separates components based on differences in vapor pressures /
boiling points.
When a liquid mixture is heated, the more volatile component (lower boiling point,
higher vapor pressure) preferentially enters the vapor phase. The vapor is condensed and
collected as distillate, enriched in the more volatile component.
For ideal, large boiling-point differences (≥ ~40 °C), simple distillation gives good
separation; for smaller differences or non-ideal mixtures (positive/negative deviations
from Raoult’s law) separation is poorer.
Limitations: azeotrope formation and significant vapor–liquid equilibrium non-ideality
reduce maximum achievable purity with a single simple distillation. Simple distillation is
mainly a separation by enrichment, not a complete purification method for close-
boiling or azeotropic mixtures.
Procedure (step-wise)
1. Prepare the mixture: measure initial total volume (V_total) and composition (e.g., 50:50
v/v or 40:60 v/v acetone:water). Record initial volumes precisely.
2. Assemble simple distillation apparatus securely; place boiling stones in flask. Ensure
tight connections and the condenser has running cooling water (inlet at bottom, outlet at
top).
3. Insert thermometer so bulb is just below the distillation head opening (to measure vapor
temperature).
4. Place mixture in round-bottom flask and begin gentle heating. Increase heat gradually
until steady boiling. Record the temperature at start of distillation and the range of
temperatures during collection.
5. Adjust the flame to maintain a distillation rate of 1-2 drops per second.
6. Collect distillate in fractions (or one fraction) in a clean graduated cylinder or collection
flask. Note the volume of distillate collected (V_distillate)..
7. Stop heating when no more distillate is coming or when temperature reaches level
indicating most acetone is distilled. Allow system to cool before disassembly.
8. Measure and record volumes: volume of collected acetone fraction.
9. Clean apparatus; dispose or store solvents safely.
Observations (table template)
Use this table during the practical.
Initial Initial Distillate Temp range Notes (color,
V_total
Trial ratio acetone collected V_dist during distillate smell, sudden
(mL)
(v/v) V_init (mL) (mL) (°C) temp rise)
e.g. clear, strong
1 50:50 100 50 (measured) e.g. 55–58
acetone smell
e.g. clear, strong
2 40:60 100 40 (measured) e.g. 55–60
acetone smell
Calculations — Volume-based percent recovery
Notes on purity vs recovery: Percent recovery measures how much acetone was recovered in
the distillate relative to what was initially present. It does not directly give the purity of the
distillate (the distillate may contain water). To find distillate purity you need density/refractive
index/GC analysis.
Sources of error & discussion points
Incomplete separation: some acetone remains in the flask due to vapor–liquid equilibrium
and possible azeotrope/entrainment.
Losses: splashing, evaporation during transfer, incomplete condensation, side leakage —
reduce apparent recovery.
Measurement error: inaccurate graduated cylinders, parallax, or temperature fluctuations.
Purity: the collected fraction may still contain water; recovery ≠ purity. For purity
analysis, use density/refractive index/GC.
Heating rate: too vigorous boiling causes bumping and entrainment; distill slowly for
better separation.
A single simple distillation is an enrichment technique — for high purity, use fractional
distillation with a column.
Result: The efficiency of simple distillation in separating acetone from water was calculated
based on the percentage recovery of acetone. Thus, the recovery efficiency was -- % for the
50:50 mixture and -- % for the 40:60 mixture.
