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Chromatography is a versatile technique used for the separation and quantitative determination of components in mixtures. This experiment focuses on two chromatography methods: column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to separate ortho and para-nitrophenol products generated from the reaction between nitric acid and phenol. The experiment also includes the analysis of product melting points to assess their purity.
Chromatography is a powerful method for separating and quantifying components within a mixture based on their differing polarities. It involves a stationary phase, such as a TLC plate or column, and a mobile phase, typically a solvent, to facilitate the separation.
In this experiment, the reaction between nitric acid and phenol produces a mixture of ortho and para-nitrophenol. Column chromatography is employed to separate these two products based on their polarity, and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is used to analyze the composition of the separated products. Additionally, the melting points of the products are determined after separation.
The experiment was divided into three main parts:
The polarity of ortho and para-nitrophenol products influences their behavior during chromatography.
Ortho-nitrophenol, with close proximity between the hydroxyl and nitro groups, tends to form stronger intermolecular bonds. In contrast, para-nitrophenol, with the hydroxyl and nitro groups on opposite sides, is less likely to form such bonds. This results in para-nitrophenol having a smaller Rf-value compared to ortho-nitrophenol, indicating slower movement from the starting line during TLC.
The experiment yielded a percentage yield of 51.26%, which suggests some loss, possibly due to the formation of by-products. The rapid temperature increase during the addition of phenol may have contributed to by-product formation. Stirring speed control and observation were challenging due to condensation on the flask's surface. Inadequate mixing or excessive stirring speed could also lead to by-products.
The selectivity percentages for ortho and para-nitrophenol were 44.69% and 55.31%, respectively, deviating from the expected 2:1 ratio. Inconsistencies in fraction volume collection and the use of the same solvent throughout the experiment may have resulted in mixed products, affecting the selectivity percentages.
The melting points of ortho and para-nitrophenol were found to be 43.5˚C and 114.2˚C, respectively, slightly different from the literature values of 45˚C and 115˚C, indicating potential impurities or contamination.
Chromatography is a valuable technique for isolating, separating, and identifying components within a sample based on their polarity differences. In this experiment, the use of different polarity solvents could have improved the separation efficiency. Despite some challenges and deviations from expected results, chromatography remains a useful tool for future analytical and separation purposes.
Test-tube | Compounds |
---|---|
1 - 4 | Phenol |
5 - 9 | Ortho-nitrophenol |
10 - 16 | Mixture of Ortho and Para-nitrophenol |
17 - 24 | Para-nitrophenol |
25 – 30 | Solvent |
Number of moles of phenol: 0.0487 mol
Number of moles of 30% nitric acid: 50 mmol
Number of moles of overall crude product: 0.02512 mol
Theoretical mass of overall crude product: 3.29 g
Percentage Yield of the Reaction: 51.26%
Number of moles of ortho-nitrophenol: 0.0112 mol
Number of moles of para-nitrophenol: 0.0138 mol
Selectivity of ortho-nitrophenol: 44.69%
Selectivity of para-nitrophenol: 55.31%
Retention factor (Ortho-nitrophenol): 0.73125
Retention factor (Para-nitrophenol): 0.38125
Test-tube | Rf values (Point 1) | Rf values (Point 2) | Compound Average Rf values |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 0.825 | NA | Phenol: 0.825 |
2 | 0.825 | NA | |
3 | 0.825 | NA | |
4 | 0.825 | NA | |
5 | 0.825 | NA | Ortho-nitrophenol: 0.73125 |
6 | 0.825 | 0.725 | |
7 | 0.825 | 0.725 | |
8 | 0.825 | 0.725 | |
9 | 0.75 | NA | |
10 | 0.725 | 0.5 | Mixture of Ortho and Para-nitrophenol |
11 | 0.725 | 0.5 | |
12 | 0.725 | 0.5 | |
13 | 0.725 | 0.525 | |
14 | 0.725 | 0.525 | |
15 | 0.725 | 0.5 | |
16 | 0.5 | NA | |
17 | 0.4 | NA | Para-nitrophenol: 0.38125 |
18 | 0.4 | NA | |
19 | 0.4 | NA | |
20 | 0.375 | NA | |
21 | 0.375 | NA | |
22 | 0.375 | NA | |
23 | 0.35 | NA | |
24 | 0.35 | NA | |
25 | 0.475 | NA | Solvent |
26 | 0.45 | NA | |
27 | 0.45 | NA | |
28 | 0.45 | NA | |
29 | 0.45 | NA | |
30 | 0.4 | NA |
Test-tube | Rf values |
---|---|
25 | 0.475 |
26 | 0.45 |
27 | 0.45 |
28 | 0.45 |
29 | 0.45 |
30 | 0.4 |
Column Chromatography and Thin-Layer Chromatography Lab Report. (2024, Jan 02). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/document/column-chromatography-and-thin-layer-chromatography-lab-report
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