Frequently Asked Question

Questions asked by users might not always be phrased in the clearest way.

What is the best way to separate isobutyl oleate from isobutanol, without distillation?

Accepted Answer

Isobutyl oleate and isobutanol are both organic compounds with relatively similar boiling points, making distillation a challenging separation method. Consider these techniques for separating them without distillation:

Extraction: Isobutyl oleate is an ester and is generally less polar than isobutanol, an alcohol. Using an appropriate solvent like water or a dilute aqueous solution of a base, you can selectively extract the isobutanol, leaving the isobutyl oleate behind.
Chromatography: A suitable chromatography technique, such as column chromatography, can separate the two based on differences in polarity or adsorption properties.
To determine the most effective technique, you'll need to consider the specific properties of your mixture and the desired purity level.


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