Steam distillation process cannot be used for purifying which of the following?
Steam distillation process cannot be used for purifying which of the following?
Aniline
p-nitrophenol
Toluene
Nitrobenzene
Solution
Steam distillation is the simplest method, which is used to isolate materials that are temperature sensitive like organic compounds. It is applicable at a low boiling point in order to avoid decomposition.
It cannot be applicable in the purification of those organic compounds that are water soluble, non-volatile in steam, vapour pressure low and contains volatile impurities. $p$-nitrophenol is steam volatile, thus it cannot be used for purifying by steam distillation.