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ABSTRACT
This experiment was conducted to determine the purity of benzoic acid through sublimation and melting
point determination using its crude form, impure benzoic acid. The sample of impure benzoic acid was first
sublimated, wherein crystals were formed and observed in the watch glass covering the evaporating dish
with the perforated filter paper after heating. The crystals (sublimate) were then collected. The sublimate
and the pure benzoic acid are then individually packed in capillary tubes, which are used to determine the
melting point of the substance through the use of an oil bath. The melting point of the impure benzoic acid
obtained from the experiment was then compared to the standard value of the melting point of the pure
benzoic acid, which is in the range of 122-124°C.
INTRODUCTION
Sublimation, in chemistry, is the transition of a toothpastes, mouthwashes, cosmetics,
substance directly from the solid phase to the gas deodorants and the like.
phase without passing through an intermediate
liquid phase. The vapor, which is in the gaseous As stated earlier, the crude form of Benzoic
phase, can solidify, making sublimation a acid, which is impure benzoic acid, was used in
purification process. Sublimation can then be the experiment. Benzoic acid is formed from the
classified as a purification technique for solid oxidation of toluene, the oxidation process can
mixtures. Sublimation however, is limited to only be carried out in liquid phase and with the
impurities that are non-volatile or have a lower presence of a catalyst. The newly formed
vapor pressure than the pure compound. benzene then contains impurities due to the
Sublimation however, is not limited to its presence of benzyl and phenyl, which affect the
purification properties. It is also used to describe product.
the reverse process, meaning gas changing back
to solid state upon cooling. Melting point The objective of this experiment or study is to
determination is often associated with purify benzoic acid by sublimation, determine and
sublimation especially when trying to test the compare the melting point of the product with a
purity of the substance or compound. standard and to calculate the percentage
recovery.
Melting point is the temperature at which a
solid changes to liquid at atmospheric pressure. EXPERIMENTAL
Meaning the solid and liquid phases of a A. Compounds tested
substance coexist in equilibrium. The melting 5.0g Benzoic Acid (impure)
point of benzoic acid is higher than the boiling Benzoic Acid (Pure)
point if water, that is why an oil bath was used in
the experiment. B. Procedure
There was only one compound used in the 1. Preparation of Capillary Tubes
experiment, and that is Benzoic Acid. Also known Two capillary tubes are prepared and one of the
as Dracylic acid or Benzeneformic acid. ends of each tube is heated using a Bunsen
Considered as the simplest aromatic carboxylic burner to seal it. While heating one end of each
acid containing carboxyl group bonded directly to of the capillary tubes, the tube was rotated to
a benzene ring. Benzoic acid is a white crystalline make the seal even. It was heated continuously
organic compound that has a boiling point of until the capillary tube was totally sealed.
247°C and a melting point of 122°C.
2. Preparation of Impure Benzoic Acid
Sublimate (Sublimation)
5g of impure benzoic acid was placed in an
evaporating dish and the dish was covered with a
perforated filter paper and an inverted pre-
weighed watch glass was placed on top of the
Structure of Benzoic Acid filter paper and then heated in a hot plate for 10-
It is an organic compound that occurs naturally 15 minutes.
in numerous plants and resins. Benzoic acids has
many uses, it is used a microbial agent in
Table 1. Data and Results
% Recovery = 10.43%
Pure Sublimate