In this experiment you will perform several distillations. You will compare distillations of a mixture of methanol and methylene dichloride using the glassware set-up for a simple distillation and one for fractional distillation. You will also measure the boiling point-range for an unknown compound and use this information as an aid in its identification from Table 1 of possible substances.
Pairs of students will perform this experiment. Each pair will conduct either the simple distillation procedure or the fractional distillation procedure. Results will be shared between two groups, so that everyone has data for both simple and fractional distillation.
Also remember methanol and methylene dichloride are flammable. Never add boiling chips to hot liquid and never distill the flask to dryness. Some organic compounds form peroxide, which explode upon dryness and concentration. All glassware must be clamped in place.