DETERMINATION OF

PARTITION OF
COEFFICIENT
Khrystin J. Berdos, Alzar Aure, Jiezel Joyce Salve, Jocelyn
Amigo
Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences,
Visayas State University, Visca, Baybay, Leyte

______________________________________________________________________________
Abstract: The distribution constant is used in determining the amount of solute in two solvents
when a solute is added to solvents mixed. The experiment determined the value of K in the
distribution of acetic acid between water and ether. Various concentrations of acetic acid in
water and ether are prepared and the concentrations of the mixtures are found by titration with
NaOH. The remaining concentrations were computed and used in the calculation of K and n. The
data showed that in the range of 0.50-1.0M n value is 0.30 while in range of 0.25-0.50M n value
is 1.04 (is greater than 1, thus acetic acid dissociates in water). The average molecular weight of
the acetic acid was determined due to the dissociation. In main objective of this experiment was
to determine the distribution constant of acetic acid and water.

Keywords: Solute, solvent, distribution constant, mixtures

I. Introduction

Liquid-liquid extraction uses the governed by the distribution coefficient. The

solubility differences of these molecules to
selectively draw the product into the organic
layer. Although the two layers are
immiscible, isolation can be performed.
Extraction can be used to separate or
“partition” ionic or polar low-molecular-
weight substances into an aqueous phase and
less polar water-insoluble substances into an
immiscible liquid organic phase. This is
distribution or partition coefficient is a
quantitative measure of the how solute well
distributes between aqueous and organic
phase is called the distribution or partition
coefficient. It is the ratio, K, of the solubility
of solute dissolve in the organic layer to the
solubility material dissolves in the aqueous
layer. (Note: K is independent of the actual
amounts of the 2 solvents mixed). This
equation is derived from the Nernst doing the experiment getting the data
Distribution Law. required.

In mixtures, when the two solvents are
mixed in a binary system and solute is
added, the amount of solute in two solvents
can be determined by using a distribution
constant. The relation involving
Distribution constant and the activities of the
solute in two solvents is given by the
equation:
This study is generally aimed to determine
the partition of coefficient. The specific
objectives are as follows:
a.) To determine the values of K and n in the
the
distribution of acetic acid between water and
diethyl ether.
II. Materials and Methods

𝑎2𝑛 Materials: glacial acetic acid, NaOH pellets,

Ka= 𝑎1
K, is the distribution constant and a1 and a1
are referring to activities to the solute in two
solvents, and n is computed by:
distilled water, phenolphthalein, Erlenmeyer
flasks, Base buret, Iron stand, Buret clamp,
separatory funnel, Iron ring, Pipet, and
aspirator.

mw of solvent 1 Sample Preparation

n= 𝑚𝑤 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡 2

the average molecular weight is affected by
the degree of association and dissociation.
The values of n also changes with
concentrations.
If the concentration is used instead of
activities, the relationships for the
distribution constant becomes
𝐶2𝑛
Kt= 𝐶1
This experiment determined the values of K
and n in the distribution of acetic acid
between water and ether. The K and n for
the ternary system was calculated after
1.0M, 0.50M, 0.25M of glacial acetic acid
was prepared using the calculated volumes
through the dilution equation, of acetic acid
and water needed to prepare the desired
solution.
0.5M NaOH was prepared from 20 grams of
NaOH pellets diluted in 1L of water, the
resulting solution served as the titrant. 25ml
of the 1M glacial acetic solution was
pipetted into a separatory funnel then, 25mL
of diethyl ether was added. The mixture was
shaken well, and the pressure was released
using the stop cock. The layers completely
separated after standing for 10 minutes.
The aqueous layer (bottom layer) was drawn
from the separatory funnel. 5.0mL of the
aqueous layer was pipetted into a clean
125mL Erlenmeyer flasks and 10mL of
distilled water was added. The solution was
titrated 0.5M NaOH to the faint
phenolphthalein end point. Two trial are
made. The remaining ether layer was drawn
from the separatory funnel. 10mL of the
ether layer was titrated into a 125mL
Erlenmeyer flask, and 10mL of distilled
water was added. The solution was titrated
with 0.5 NaOH to the faint pink
phenolphthalein end point. Two trials was
made as well.
Repet the previous steps using 0.5M and
0.25M of glacial acetic acid. Calculate the
concentration of the acetic acid in each
solution. Finally, determine the values of K
and n for the concentration used.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. INITIAL CONCENTRATION OF ACETIC ACID: 1.0M

Solvent Trial VNaOH MNaOH Vsol'n Msol'n

1 7.5mL 0.5 15mL 0.25M
Water 2 6.5mL 0.5 15mL 0.22M
Average 0.24M

Ether 1 12.8mL 0.5 20mL 0.32M

2 13mL 0.5 20mL 0.33M
Average 0.33M

Sample Calculations:

moles of acetic acid: (0.5M) (7.5 X 10-3 L) = 3.75 X 10-3 moles

Molarity= 3.75 X 10-3 moles / 0.015 L= 0.25M

B. INITIAL CONCENTRATION OF ACETIC ACID: 0.50M

Solvent Trial VNaOH MNaOH Vsol'n Msol'n

1 17mL 0.5 15mL 0.57M
Water 2 17.5mL 0.5 15mL 0.58M
Average 0.58M

Ether 1 17.4mL 0.5 20mL 0.44M

2 16.5mL 0.5 20mL 0.41M
A Average 0.43M

Sample Calculations:

moles of acetic acid: (0.5M)(0.017L) = 8.5 X 10 -3 moles

Molarity: 8.5 X 10 -3 moles/ 0.015L = 0.57 M

C. INITIAL CONCENTRATION OF ACETIC ACID: 0.25M

Solvent Trial VNaOH MNaOH Vsol'n Msol'n

1 1.8mL 0.5 15mL 0.06M
Water 2 1.7mL 0.5 15mL 0.057M
Average 0.06M

Ether 1 1.7mL 0.5 20mL 0.043M

2 1.6mL 0.5 20mL 0.04M
Average 0.04M

Sample Calculations:

moles of acetic acid: (0.5M)(1.8 X 10 -3 L) =9 X 10 -4 M

Molarity: 9 X 10 -4 M / 0.015L= 0.06M

Value of K and n in concentration range

Concentrations K n

0.50 M- 1.0M 1.99 0.3

0.25 M- 0.50M 1.34 1.04

Sample Calculations:

𝐶𝑛 𝐶𝑛
For 0.50M : K= 𝐶2 For 1.0M : K= 𝐶2
1 1

K= (0.575) n / 0.425 K= (0.235)n/ 0.325

0.575𝑛 0.255𝑛 0.575𝑛 0.425

(1) = (3) log 0.235𝑛 = log 0.325
0.425 0.325

0.575𝑛 0.425 0.425

(2) = 0.325 (4) nlog 0.575 – nlog 0.235 = log 0.325
0.235𝑛

(0.575)0.30 (0.235)0.30
(6) = (5) n = 0.30
0.425 0.325

(7) K= 1.99

In this experiment, the result showed the respectively. The acetic acid, which is the
different concentrations of the solute in the solute, dissociates with water since it is a
two solvents which is diethyl ether and weak acid. The dissociation follows the
water. The range of 0.50M-1.0M and equation:
0.25M-0.50M was computed for the K and n
CH3COOH CH3COO- + H+
values. In computing the value of K and n
was involved in the substitution of the The acetic acid dissociates into acetate and
values of concentrations that were gathered hydrogen ion. Acetic acid is a weak acid,
from titration. The value of K and n for and thus a weak electrolyte. Weak
0.50M -1.0M range is 1.99 and 0.30. And electrolytes are not 100% ionized in water.
for 0.25M-0.50M range is 1.34 and 1.04 Since acetic acid dissociates in water, the
average molecular weight of acetic acid
decreased due to the dissociation
According to Table A, the average molarity
in water solvent is 0.24M, whereas in ether
solvent is 0.33M which is higher than the
water. In table B, the average molarity in
water solvent is 0.58M while in ether
solvent 0.43M. In table C, the average
molarity in water solvent is 0.06M while in
ether while in ether solvent 0.04M. The
volumes of NaOH that was from titration of
1.0M, 0.50M, and 0.25M solute
concentration. The data showed in initial
concentrations of acetic acid that the
molarity of the solution is higher when it is
in water solvent, and lower when it is ether
solvent. This phenomenon is due to that the
distribution coefficient which is 1.99 implies
that the solute is more soluble in water than
in ether, since it is greater than one. The
distribution law is also associated with the
solubility of the solute in solvent (Castellan,
1971). The dilution of acetic acid increases
the dissociation constant of the acetic acid.
Based on Ostwald’s dilution law it states
that for weak electrolytes the degree of
ionization is inversely proportional to square
root of molar concentration of the solute. As
the molarity decreases for a weak electrolyte
like acetic acid, the dilution or dissociation
constant increases. Some errors that causes
the experimentation is the instrumental
errors in which the burette that was used in
the experiment has a leak problem, and the
tip of the burette was loosened, which
results in the increase of volume reading.
And some few air bubbles are also present in
buret.
IV. CONCLUSION
Based on the experiment, the values
of dissociation constant of acetic acid in the
ether-water system were determined. Since
n is greater than in concentrations range
0.25M-0.50M acetic acid dissociates in
water. The solute which is acetic acid
distributed itself between the two immiscible
solvents which are water and ether at
constant temperature and the solute is in the
same molecular condition in both solvents.
The concentrations of acetic acid is greater
than in water solvent, resulting in both
concentration range 0.50M-1.0M K value of
1.99 while 0.25M-0.50M K value of 1.34.
V. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

1. Does the acetic acid dissociate or

associate in water? Why?

-Yes acetic acid dissociates in water since it Burcce Fegley, Jr(2013) with distribution by
Rose Osborne, Practical Chemical
is a carboxylic acid. Since all carboxylic
Thermodynamics For Geoscientist pp. 371-
groups contain O-H bond so it has a capable 377
of dissociation. Unlike water and most Castellan G.W. (1971) Physical Chemistry.
alcohols, this results in a structure where the Addisonn Welsey Publishing Co., Reading
Mass.
negative charge is not strictly associated
Macias, M., Ildefonso, C., Cantero, D.
with the oxygen that the proton was
(2001). Chemical engineering Journal.
previously attached to. Acetic acid, then, is a
weak electrolyte because its ionization in
water is incomplete.

2. How does dilution affect

dissociation/association of acetic acid in
water? Explain.

- Since acetic acid is a weak acid, due to

dilution, dissociation increases as
concentration decreases. Ostwald’s law
states that for weak electrolytes says the
degree of dissociation is inversely
proportional to a square root of
concentration. Thus, when acetic acid is
diluted its dissociation increases and thus pH
increases.

REFERENCES

Broecker, W.S and V.M. Oversby (1971).

Chemical Equilibria in the Earth, Mcgraw-
Hill Book Co., New York.