A liquid unknown was found to be insoluble in water and soluble in cyclohexane and alcohol; the unknown was found to have a boiling point of 145°C at 658 mm Hg. What is the substance? What could you do to confirm your answer?
2006-10-16 16:35:05 · 4 answers · asked by Erin B 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
You don't have that much info...
As the answer above mentions you should look at tables with the boiling point of different substances. You will probably get more than one canditates but also I don't think that the boiling points of all substances at all pressures are available.
From your solubility experiment you can see also the density (at least if it is higher or lower than that of water, depending on which phase is on top of the other) and thus have one more piece of evidence.
The fact that it is miscible with alcohol shows that it has some polar groups, but you'd need lots more chemical and spectroscopical (MS, IR, NMR) data before identifying your substance with certainty.
2006-10-17 06:27:54 · answer #1 · answered by bellerophon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could search the online Merck index or other such reference for an organic compound with that boiling point. (it's clearly organic given the solubility data). I would confirm the result by GC/MS.
2006-10-17 08:33:47 · answer #2 · answered by af490 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the substance is organic than it is probably an oil. if so than rub some of it on to paper and it should go see through.
if not organic than i don't know., my head is far too full of biochemistry to remember inorganic chemistry.
2006-10-16 23:39:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to board a plane with it in your carry on luggage. You'll find out what it is!
2006-10-16 23:43:17 · answer #4 · answered by slippped 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋