NEETChemistryGeneral Organic Chemistry
A mixture contains two isomers, o -nitrophenol and p -nitrophenol. Which of the following represents the most suitable technique for their separation and the correct underlying chemical reason?
Options
- AFractional distillation; due to a large difference in their molecular weights.
- BDistillation under reduced pressure; because both isomers decompose at their normal boiling points.
- CSteam distillation; because o -nitrophenol forms intermolecular hydrogen bonds with water making it highly sol
- DSteam distillation; because o -nitrophenol is steam volatile due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding while p -n
Correct answer
D. Steam distillation; because o -nitrophenol is steam volatile due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding while p -n
Step-by-step solution
The correct technique to separate a mixture of o -nitrophenol and p -nitrophenol is steam distillation. o -Nitrophenol exhibits intramolecular hydrogen bonding, which prevents the association of its molecules, making it more volatile (steam volatile). In contrast, p -nitrophenol exhibits intermolecular hydrogen bonding, leading to molecular association and a higher boiling point, making it less volatile. Because of this significant difference in their steam volatility, steam distillation effectively separates the t