VELOSO, Ella Beatrice R. Expt.

1 – Purification of Benzoic Acid

CH 22.2 C January 22, 2018

Objectives
1. To be able to purify Benzoic acid by means of recrystallization through decolorizing
charcoal treatment, gravity filtration, and suction filtration.
2. To determine the percent recovery and melting point of pure benzoic acid.
3. To test the purity of the benzoic acid by determining the melting point of the product
and comparing it to the actual measure of pure benzoic acid.

Introduction

Crystallization is the process when a solute dissolves in a hot solvent and then returns to a solid
again by crystallizing in a cooled solvent. The crystalline substance is dissolved in a hot solvent
which will increase the solubility of the solution and eliminate any impure substances through
gravity filtration. Then the solution is slowly cooled causing the pure substance to recrystallize
and be isolated from the solution via filtration.

1. Why should the crystallization solution be cooled first before adding decolorizing
charcoal?
a. The crystallization solution should be cooled first before adding decolorizing
charcoal since the charcoal may cause the temperature of the solution to
increase, which may result to frothing. this can result to loss of benzoic acid or
harm to the experimenter.
b. It is important to remember that the fine carbon particles of charcoal can act as
tiny boiling chips. Because of this, there is almost an absolute certainty that the
heated solution would froth
2. How is premature crystallization prevented when filtering the insoluble impurities from
the hot crystallization solution?
a. Premature crystallization is prevented when the hot glassware (i.e Erlenmeyer
flask and funnel) is used to transfer or contain the hot crystallization solution.
Heating the glassware can be done through preheating them in an oven and
used while the solution is ready.
3. Why shouldn’t the hot crystallization solution be immediately placed in an ice-water
bath?
a. Placing the hot crystallization solution immediately in an ice-water bath may
induce precipitation instead of crystallization. The cooling process will have an
increasing rate thus the impurities may not have adequate time to exit the
crystal lattice, trapping them inside the isolated crystals and making them
smaller and impure. This may also result in the occurrence of precipitates bc of
the higher rate of solid formation.
4. What is the importance of covering the crystallization solution covered with a watch
glass or beaker during cooling?
 a. The crystallization flask must be covered with a watch glass during cooling down
to prevent dust contamination and solvent evaporation. This may lead to errors
in measurement and contamination.
5. Why should the crystals be washed with cold water during suction filtration?
a. Once the suction filtration process is completed, the collected crystals should be
washed with a little more ice-cold solvent to remove final soluble impurities
which would otherwise be left on the surface of the crystals. The solvent used
for this final washing should be as cold as possible to minimize losses from the
crystals re-dissolving.
b. The crystals should be washed with cold water during suction filtration to remove any
remaining impurities on their surfaces. Cold water should be used to prevent any crystal
particles from dissolving and thus reducing the amount of benzoic acid recovered
Reagents

1. Crude Benzoic Acid

2. Decolorizing Charcoal
3. Water

Reagents Phys and Chem Properties Safety Precautions

Crude Benzoic Acid. Physical state and appearance: Hazardous in case of skin
Sodium Benzoate Solid. (Granular solid. crystalline contact (irritant), of inhalation.
powder.) Slightly hazardous in case of
ingestion.
Odor: Odorless..
Molecular Weight: 144.11
g/mole
Color: White.
Melting Point: >300°C (572°F)
Solubility: Easily soluble in cold
water, hot water.
Decolorizing Charcoal Physical state and Keep away from heat. Keep
Carbon appearance: Solid. (Solid away from sources of ignition.
powder.) Ground all equipment containing
Odor: Odorless. material. Do not breathe dust.
Molecular Weight: 12.01 g/mole Keep away from incompatibles
Color: Black such as oxidizing agents, metals,
Melting Point: 3500°C (6332°F) acids.
Solubility: Insoluble in cold
water, hot water. Store in a segregated and
approved area. Keep in a cool
and ventilated area away from
combustible materials
Water Physical state and
Oxidane appearance: Liquid.
 Odor: Odorless.
Boiling Point: 100°C (212°F)

Procedures and set-ups

1. Weigh 2.0 g of contaminated benzoic acid into another Erlenmeyer flask.

2. Add 2-3 boiling chips and 60 mL of distilled water, and then heat to boiling until the compound
dissolves.
3. Remove the flask from the burner and add into it 15 mL of cold water.
4. Add a spatula-point, or less, of decolorizing charcoal.
5. Boil the treated solution carefully for 1-2 minutes and watch out for frothing.
6. Filter the hot solution using gravity filtration (SEE FIGURE STH) into a fluted filter paper in a
warmed funnel and flask.
7. Once the filtrate runs clear, let the solution cool,
8. add 2-3 boiling chips into it and boil off excess solvent until the volume is 50-60 mL.
9. Allow the solution to cool down to room temperature and crystallize.
10. Chill it afterwards in an ice-water bath and then harvest the crystals using suction filtration (SEE
FIGURE STH).
11. Air-dry the crystals overnight.
12. Determine the percent recovery and determine melting point using a melting point apparatus.
13. Compare the appearance of the crystals with crude benzoic acid.
14. Place the recovered crystals in separate vials, label.
15. Hand them to your instructor.

Data and Observations