Boiling Two Liquids at Room Temperature
Description: Two low-boiling liquids are mixed and form an azeotropic mixture which boils spontaneously at room temperature.
Source: Journal of Chemical Education – Vol. 65
Year: 1988 Vol: 65 Page: 157
Keywords: Azeotropic mixture, Boiling point depression, Isopentane, Methyl formate
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Acute toxicity hazard
- Flammability hazard
- Inhalation hazard
Effectiveness: Good
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Mild effects are seen by audience
- Clear contrast between systems’ behavior
Difficulty: Medium
- Procedures with some intermediate steps to results
- Handling of organic chemicals
- Requires precise temperature control
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Perform in well-ventilated area
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
- Chemically resistant surface required
- Use of UL approved three-prong plug and outlet required
Class: Equilibrium of Chemical Systems, Boiling point Depression
Division: Physical Chemistry
Home| Physical Chemistry Demos