Preparation of Absolute Ethanol from Grain Alcohol

-----------------------------------------------------

Absolute, or 99.5% water-free, Ethanol is frequently necessary in many organic operations. It is quite easy to prepare from the azeotrope with water such as E!erclear bran" grain alcohol, moonshine or #ectifie" $pirits %an ol" term for the same thing&.

'ehy"rate (5g of fresh anhy"rous )alcium *+i"e in a !acuum "essicator for ,- hours %a bit re"un"ant, I .now& or heat in an o!en at ,//) for , hours, then imme"iately transfer to the !acuum "essicator until use. $etup glassware for simple reflu+ing with a water-coole" con"enser an" a )alcium )hlori"e guar" tube. 0lace 15/m2 of Ethanol into the flas., quic.ly a"" the )alcium *+i"e an" hol" at gentle reflu+ on the water bath or heating mantle for 3 hours. Allow the mi+ture to stan" o!ernight, then "istill off the alcohol, "iscar"ing the first few m2 %it may be more con!enient to 4ust !ent the con"enser to the atmosphere for the first couple of minutes after "istillation has commence"&. 5iel" shoul" be better than 165m2. $tore the absolute Ethanol in a tightly close" glass container as it will pic. up water from the air rapi"ly.