Fractional Distillation Report Results

Carly Hawn

2/14/23

Fractional Distillation Report The purpose of this experiment was to become familiar with the process of fractional distillation, as well as interpreting mass spectra and different forms of chromatography (gas and high-pressure liquid).

Data Table

Compound: Toluene Mesitylene

Structure:

Boiling Point (oC): 110.6 164.8

Molecular Weight (g/mol): 92.141 120.1

Density (g/mL): 0.87 0.86

Sample Weights (mg): 49.7 949

Discussion The resulting sample weights displayed in the above data table show that a significantly greater amount of mesitylene was collected compared to toluene. Since a larger amount was taken, the mesitylene sample was likely not as pure as the toluene sample. In order to determine the identity and purity of both samples, each were run through high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GS-MS). The purity of the mesitylene distillation could be improved by drawing out more sample in the middle of the distillation and setting it aside as an intermediate. This way, the only samples collected would condense at the beginning and the end of the distillation, and would therefore be purer.

HPLC

HPLC

Distillation 1 (toluene):

Distillation 2 (mesitylene): Distillation 1 Name Ret Time Area Area%

Peak 1 toluene 2.796 10776647 83.403

Peak 2 mesitylene 3.852 2144546 16.597

Total 12921193 100.000

Distillation 2

Peak 1 toluene 2.800 1821126 23.397

Peak 2 mesitylene 3.846 5833275 76.208

Total 7654401 100.000