Experiment Number…3 Date…………………

Objective: Determination of Partition Co-efficient of Acetic Acid between

Water and n-Butanol

Theory
The Nernst distribution law states that at constant temperature when different quantities of a solute are
allowed to distribute between two immiscible solvents in contact with each other, then at equilibrium
the ratio of the concentration of the solute in two solvent layers is constant.

When a solution which is soluble in each of two immiscible liquids is shaken with a mixture of two such
solvents, it will distribute itself in the two solvents in such a way that at equilibrium, the ratio of the
concentration of the solute in the two liquids is constant at that temperature provided there is neither
association nor dissociation of the solute in solvents.

Consider a liquid-liquid system, say water and n-butanol (two immiscible solvents), to which little quantity of
acetic acid added. Acetic acid will dissolve partly in water and partly in n-butanol. According to distribution law,
the distribution co-efficient at a particular temperature is given by K=C 1/C2 where C1 and C2 represents the
concentration of solute in solvent 1 and 2 respectively. The constant K is known as Distribution or Partition
Coefficient.

Thus, the distribution coefficient of Acetic Acid in water and n-Butanol be

K= Cw/Cb,

where Cw = Concentration of Acetic Acid in water

and Cb= Concentration of Acetic Acid in n-butanol.

Procedure

The following mixtures were prepared in 250 ml leak proof, stoppered glass bottle:

Volume of solution of Volume of

Bottle Volume of Total Volume
Acetic Acid in Pure
No. water (ml) (ml)
n-Butanol (ml) n-Butanol (ml)
1 20 30 50 100

2 30 20 50 100

3 40 10 50 100

1
The bottles were shaken well for about 30 minutes in a shaker and then allowed to stand undisturbed for
about 10 minutes so that the two layers were separated distinctly.

5 ml of organic layer is pipetted out from first bottle in a 100 ml conical flask. 20 ml of distilled water
and 1 drop of phenolphthalein indicator are added to it. The mixture is then shaken vigorously for
few seconds and then it is titrated with (N)/10 NaOH solution taken in a burette until pink end point
is reached. The titration is repeated. Same procedure is done with other two bottles.

5 ml of aqeous layer is pipette out from first bottle in a 100 ml conical flask. 20 ml of distilled water and 1
drop of phenolphthalein indicator are added to it. The mixture is shaken vigorously for a few second and
then it is titrated with (N)/10 NaOH solution taken in a burette until pink end point is reached. The process
is repeated. Same procedure is done with other two bottles.
The room temperature is noted down.

Observation

Table 1: Titration of organic layer

Volume (Vb) Mean volume (V1)

Bottle No. of Volume of N/10 NaOH
of aliquot from of NaOH solution Cb
No. Titration solution (ml)
organic layer (ml) (M)
(ml)
Initial Final
1 8.5 8.45

8.5
1. 2

3
12.5 12.5
1
12.5
2. 2

3
16.6 16.55
1
3. 16.5
2

2
 Table 2: Titration of aqueous layer

Volume (Vw) of Volume of N/10

Bottle No. of aliquot from NaOH solution Mean volume (V2) of Cw
No. Titration aqueous layer (ml) NaOH solution (ml) (M)
(ml)
Initial Final
1 5 6.8

5 6.8
1. 2

2. 2

1
3.
2

Calculation

(i) Titration of organic layer

Vb × Cb = V1 × SNaOH

V1  SNaOH
 Cb 
Vb

3
(ii) Titration of aqueous layer

Vw × Cw = V2 × SNaOH

V2  SNaOH
 Cw
Vw

4
 Final Calculation of K

Cw Mean Cw = K
No. of Bottles Cb (N) Cw (N)
Cb Cb

Conclusion
The distribution co-efficient of acetic acid between water and n-Butanol =