ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Department
Manila

Experiment no. 4
Distribution

Group no. 5
Name
Signature
1. Coloma, Gillyn M.
2. Pascu al, Ronald Patrick D.
3. Sosa, Ma. Rebecah D.

Date of Experiment: January 6, 2015

Date of Submission: January 13, 2015
Instructor: Engr. Anabella C. Vilando

Student No.
201211846
201210270
201211508

ABSTRACT ilalagay ko ba pung k = C A /CB? redundant na naman

babanggitin na sya sa baba
In this experiment, distribution of a solute in two immiscible
solvents was observed. This is governed by Nernst law of
Distribution but due to its limitations n which constitutes to
association or dissociation of solute to any of the solvent was
considered. The experiment was done using diluted acetic acid as
solute and water-diethyl ether as the immiscible solvents. The
volume of NaOH used for titration decreased as the concentration of
acetic acid solution decreased. The value n = 0.6701486265 for 0.5
0.1 M denotes association (n < 1), contrary to the theoretical
dissociation (n > 1) which was satisfied by n= 1.086211311 of 0.25
0.5 M . (Ilalagay pa ba ang errers?) redundant =(
INTRO
If we take two immiscible solvents A and B in a beaker, they form separate
layers. When a solute X which is soluble in both solvents is added, it gets
distributed or partitioned between them. Molecules of X pass from solvent A
to B and from solvent B to A. Finally a dynamic equilibrium is set up. At
equilibrium, the rate, at which molecules of X pass from one solvent to the
other is balanced.
Figure 1. Distribution of solute X between solute A and B

The Nernst law is summarized by the above figure which states that if a
solute X distributes between two non-miscible solvents A and B at a constant
temperature and X is in the same molecular conditions for in both of them,
then the ratio of the concentrations of X in the two solvents is a constant
quantity.
The law only applies at constant temperature and at same molecular state
of solute in both solvents (disregarding association or dissociation). The
solvents used must be insoluble with each other and the addition of solute
does not alter their solubility. The solutes to be added are in low
concentrations, the law does not apply in high concentrations. Finally, the
concentrations of solute in each solvent must be noted after reaching
equilibrium
This experiment aims to determine the values of K and n in the
distribution of acetic acid (solute) between diethyl ether (solvent A) and
water
(solvent
B).

THEORY
When a solute is added to a mixture of two miscible liquids and the system is
allowed to come to equilibrium at some given temperature, the following
relationship will hold regardless of the quantity of solute added:
Ka=

an2 /a 1

(1)

where Ka is the distribution constant, a 1 and a2 are the activities of the solute
in the two solvents, and n is the ratio of the average molecular weight in
solvent 1 to its average molecular weight in solvent 2. Association will
increase the average molecular weight, while dissociation will decrease it. It
is to be noted that n may vary considerably with concentration due to
changes in the degrees of association and dissociation.
In order to simplify this experiment, concentrations will be substituted for
activities in the above equation, so that the distribution equation becomes
Kc=

C2 /C 1

In this equation Kc may vary appreciably due to the change in activity

coefficients with concentration.
If, for any distribution system, the values of C 1 and C2 are obtained for two
different total solute concentrations, both n and K can be calculated by
solving the two equations for the two unknowns. In carrying out these
calculations it may be convenient to take the logarithm of both sides of the
above equation. The values of K and n obtained will be the average values
for the two different concentrations in the calculations.
MATERIALS:
Glacial acetic acid, NaOH pellets, distilled water, phenolphthalein, Erlenmeyer
flasks, base burette, iron stand, burette clamp, separatory funnel, iron ring,
pipettes.
PROCEDURE:
1. Prepare by serial dilution 60 mL of each of the following starting
from glacial acetic acid: 1.0 M, 0.50 M, and 0.25 M. (NOTE: to
prepare solutions by serial dilution, prepare 120 mL of the 1.0 M
solution from glacial acetic acid which is 17 M. Next, prepare 120mL
of the solution from the 1.0 M solution. Finally, prepare 120 mL of
the 0.25 M solution from 0.50 M solution.) Calculate the volumes of
the acetic acid solution and water needed to prepare the desired
solution. )

(2)

2. Prepare from NaOH pellets 0.50 M NaOH solution then prepare by

dilution 200mL of 0.10 M NaOH solution.
3. Pipet 25mL of the 1.0 M solution into a separatory funnel. Add 25mL
of diethyl ether shake well and let stand for 10 minutes or until the
layers are completely separated.
4. Draw the aqueous layer into a clean container then pipet 5.0mL into
a clean 125-mL Erlenmeyer flask. Add 10mL of distilled water then
titrate with 0.50 M NaOH to the phenolphthalein endpoint. Make 2
trials.
5. Pipet 10mL of the ether layer into 125-mL Erlenmeyer flask and add
10mL of distilled water. Titrate with 0.10 M NaOH to the
phenolphthalein end point. Make 2 trials.
6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 using the 0.50 M and 0.25M acetic acid
solution. Pipet 10mL of the aqueous solution for titration.
7. Calculate the concentration of the acetic acid in each solution.
8. Determine the values of K and n for the concentration used by the
equation:
K=
Where;
solution

C2 /C 1

C2

= concentration of the solute in the aqueous

C1

= concentration of the solute in the organic

solvent
n = ration of the average molecular weight of the
solute in the solvent 1 to that in solvent 2
If the solute dissociates in aqueous solution, its
average molecular weight in water decreases and n
is greater than 1.
If the solute associates in water solution, its
average molecular weight in water increases and n
is less than 1.
9. Record the results in the table.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Preparation of Glacial Acetic Acid Solutions at 0.1 M, 0.5 M, and 0.25
M concentrations
17 Molar
Glacial
Acetic Acid

120 mL 1.0
M Acetic
Acid
Solution

60 mL 1.0
M for
experiment

60 mL 1.0
M for
further
dilution
120 mL 0.5
M Acetic
Acid
Solution
60 mL 0.5
M for
experiment

60 mL 0.5
M for
further
dilution
120 mL
0.25 M
Acetic Acid
Solution

Preparation of NaOH Solutions at 0.5 M and 0.1 M concentrations

2.4 grams
NaOH pellets
+ 120 mL
distilled
water

0.5 M NaOH
solution

80 mL for 0.5
M for
experiment

40 mL for
further
dilution

200 mL 0.1 M
NaOH
solution

Experimental Procedure

10 mL of bottom
layer was used for
0.5 and 0.25 M
Acetic Acid

25 mL 1.0 M
Acetic Acid + 25
mL diethyl ether
in a separatory
funnel (Repeat for
0.5 and 0.25 M)

5 mL (for 1 M)
bottom layer +
10 mL distilled
water (Titrate with
0.5 M NaOH)

Shake well, let stand until

layers are completely
separated

10 mL top layer
+ 10 mL distilled
water (Titrate with
0.1 M NaOH)

DATA RESULTS
A. Initial Concentration of Acetic Acid: 1.0M
Solvent
Water

Trial

NaOH

(mL)

MNaOH (M)

Vsolution (mL)

Msolution (M)

16

0.5

15

0.5333

15. 8

0.5

15

0.5267

Ether

Average
1

39

0.1

20

0.5300
0.1950

38

0.1

20

0.1900

Average

0.1925

B. Initial Concentration of Acetic Acid: 0.5 M

Solvent
Water

Trial

NaOH

MNaOH

Vsolution

Msolution

9.2

0.5

15

0.3067

9.1

0.5

15

0.3033
0.3050

Ether

Average
1

24

0.1

20

0.1200

25

0.1

20

0.1250

Average

0.1225

C. Initial Concentration of Acetic Acid: 0.25 M

Solvent
Water

Trial

NaOH

MNaOH

Vsolution

Msolution

5.1

0.5

15

0.1700

5.4

0.5

15

0.1800

Average
1

13.5

0.1

20

0.0675

13.3

0.1

20

0.0665

Average

0.1750
Ether

0.0670

Concentration Range
0.50 1.0 M
0.6701486265

K
3.394635268

0.25 0.50 M

3.033350867
1.086211311

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

As expected, the concentration of the solutions decreased as the
molarity of acetic acid diminished from 1 M to 0.25 M which
consequently decreased the volume of NaOH needed for titration.
From the statement of Nernst Law and its limitations, the
constant K is the ratio between the concentrations of solute in the
denser solvent to the concentration of solute in the lighter solvent
[CB/CA]. This does not include the dissociation or association of the
solute in any solvent. For this experiment, acetic acid theoretically
dissociates in water. Thus, n which denotes dissociation or
association was considered that resulted to an alteration of the
n

Nernst Law [ C B /C A .
As shown from the table, the experimental value of n for 0.5
1.0M is less than 1. Contrary to the theory, n < 1 means association.
Possible sources of error include the concentrations of NaOH used
which are not standardized. Errors may also be because of overtitration and ether losses due its high volatility. Incomplete
separation of the two solvents may also incur some error to the
calculations. Conversely, from 0.25 0.50 M computations, the value
of n is now greater than 1 which denotes the expected dissociation
of acetic from water.

Does acetic acid dissociate or associate in water? Why?

The result of the experiment for 0.5-1.0M shows that acetic acid does not dissociate in water.
However, this should not be the case because acetic acid tends to dissociate into hydrogen
and acetate ions. Water, which is a better base than acetate, has a higher affinity for
hydrogen ions. Due to this, hydrogen leaves acetate and joins water to form hydronium ions.

How does dilution affect dissociation/association of acetic acid in water?

Explain your answer.
Dilution increases the dissociation of acetic acid. This is due to the fact that the solutesolvent interaction becomes greater than solute-solute interaction after dilution. That is, when
it is more solvated, electron repulsion is greater so it tends to dissociate more.

CONCLUSION
The experimenters were able to determine the values of K and n
from the experiment. The computations and behaviour deviated

from the Nernst law of Distribution because of its limitations. In this

experiment, n was considered as an additional parameter because
acetic acid theoretically dissociates in water. The computed value for
0.5-0.1 M which is n < 1 denoted that acetic acid associates in water
contrary to the theoretical n > 1 dissociation that was met by 0.25
0.5 M. (BEKS BABANGGITIN BA BE ERRERS? Redundant na no?)
RECOMMENDATION
1. The use of standardized solutions in 1, 0.5, and 0.25 M for acetic acid
and 0.5 and 0.1 M for NaOH is recommended to ensure the accuracy of
the results. Prepared solutions may incur error due to impurities and
varied concentrations.
LITERATURE CITED
https://chemistrynotes.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/nernstdistribution-law/
Nernst
Distribution
Law,
Retrieved
http://fch.upol.cz/skripta/fcc_and_zvem_english/FCH/Nernst
%20Distribution%20law.htm
NOMENCLATURE
M Molar (moles of solute/ L of solution)

from