Select the 3 reasons reflux is used during the preparation and analysis of benzo

Question

Select the 3 reasons reflux is used during the preparation and analysis of benzoic acid. Please note, there are EXACTLY 3 correct answers, no more and no less. Thank you.

QUESTION 17 Select all of the following reasons reflux is used The elevated temperature increases the solubility of benzyl alcohol in water So the cooling water will not mix in with the reaction mixture It acts as a catalyst to speed up the reaction It keeps the solvent from boiling away iD It is the standard practice when performing any chemical synthesis. The elevated temperature increases ?H?f the reaction The elevated temperature increases the rate of the reaction ? The elevated temperature pushes the equilibrium to favour the products.

Explanation / Answer

Firstly, Reflux is maintained using reflux apparatus.

Reflux is essential in chemical reactions involving high temperatures and volatile compounds. Reflux refers to a phenomenon of returning back the volatile vapours (not letting them escape) in a condensed form resulted from any chemical reaction. This prevents the loss of reagents and maintaining the system in balance.

So the three reasons reflux is used during preparation of benzoic acid are as follows

1) The elevated temperature increases the rate of reaction

Heating is essential for the reaction to proceed fast which otherwise might take unusually long time to go to completion. In which case, constant temperature needs to be maintained all through the process which is achieved by the reflux.

2)The elevated temperature pushes the equilibrium to favour the product formation

Acidic environment like sulfuric acid is promotes dissociation of potassium permanganate. This allows benzyl alcohol to react faster due to the better availability of the potassium and permanganate ions and thus form benzaldehyde quickly. However, ionization of potassium permanganate is sensitive to heat. Reflux helps in achieving and maintaining oxidation of KMnO4

3) It keeps the solvent from boiling away

Now, benzaldehyde is the volatile intermediate formed in the above reaction. Amount of the final product formed is directly proportional to the availability of benzaldehyde in the reaction. Thus, reflux helps in maintaining the yield of the reaction.

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