Why was tert butyl chloride finally washed with water?
You washed the final product with NaHCO3 to neutralize any acid left over in preparing t-butyl chloride.
You washed the final product with water to get rid of the last bits of NaHCO3.
Tert-butyl chloride is commonly washed with water to remove impurities after the synthesis process. The main reasons for this are:
1. Removal of Inorganic Impurities: During the synthesis of tert-butyl chloride, inorganic impurities such as acids, bases, salts, and metal ions may be present. Water is a suitable solvent to remove these impurities, as many of them are water-soluble.
2. Neutralization of Residual Acid or Base: If the reaction used to produce tert-butyl chloride involved the use of an acid or a base as a catalyst, there may be residual acid or base present in the organic product. Water can help neutralize and remove these remaining chemicals, ensuring the purity of the final product.
3. Extraction of Water-Soluble By-products: In some cases, the synthesis of tert-butyl chloride can result in the formation of water-soluble side products or by-products. Washing with water can help extract these impurities from the organic layer, improving the purity and yield of the desired product.
Overall, washing tert-butyl chloride with water is an essential step to remove impurities, neutralize any remaining acid or base, and improve the purity of the final product.
Tert butyl chloride is often washed with water to remove any impurities and by-products that may be present after a chemical reaction. This water washing process helps to purify the tert butyl chloride and improve its overall quality.
The reason why water is used for washing is because of the difference in solubility between tert butyl chloride and water. Tert butyl chloride is not very soluble in water, so when the two substances are mixed together, the tert butyl chloride will separate out as a separate layer, allowing any impurities to be removed from the organic layer.
To wash tert butyl chloride with water, you can follow these steps:
1. Prepare a separating funnel: A separating funnel is a glass apparatus with a stopcock at the bottom for separating immiscible liquids. Ensure the stopcock is closed.
2. Pour the tert butyl chloride into the separating funnel: Carefully transfer the tert butyl chloride into the separating funnel, taking care not to introduce any impurities.
3. Add water to the funnel: Slowly add water to the separating funnel. The water will form a separate layer at the bottom of the funnel.
4. Mix the layers: Gently swirl the separating funnel to mix the layers. This will allow the water to come into contact with the tert butyl chloride.
5. Separate the layers: Allow some time for the layers to separate completely. The tert butyl chloride, being less dense than water, will float on top.
6. Open the stopcock to drain the water layer: Slowly open the stopcock at the bottom of the separating funnel to drain out the water layer. Be careful not to let any of the tert butyl chloride escape.
7. Repeat the process: Repeat steps 3-6 a few times to ensure thorough washing and removal of impurities.
By washing tert butyl chloride with water, any remaining impurities and by-products can be removed, resulting in a higher-purity product that is suitable for further use or analysis.