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Steve_hi
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[*] posted on 20-7-2013 at 10:47
Butyl alcohol

I bought a liter of what is suposed to be butyl alcohol from elemental scientific the name says butyl alcohol but the chem formula is C2H5O and wickipedia says butul alcohol is C4H9Oh so what is it that i have and why do you think the name and chem formula do not corespond?

Thanks
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Magpie
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[*] posted on 20-7-2013 at 11:16


C2H5O can't be butyl alcohol. Butyl alcohol has 4 carbons.

Determine its boiling point and compare to Wiki. What does it smell like. n-Butyl alcohol smells fruity, IMO.



The single most important condition for a successful synthesis is good mixing - Nicodem
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Steve_hi
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[*] posted on 20-7-2013 at 11:28


Thanks Magpie yes it does kind of smell fruity now i will try to determine its boiling point and get back with the results thanks
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Steve_hi
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[*] posted on 20-7-2013 at 11:48


Ok so now i have boild the alcohol and bubbles started breaking the surface at 114c and the temperature now vasilates between 116- 117c and then went to 120c
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Dr.Bob
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[*] posted on 23-7-2013 at 09:46


C2H5O does not even appear to be a valid formula, C2H6O would be ethanol. Likely someone was not paying attention. It should be C4H10O1 for n-butanol. I would just email or call them to let them know their label is goofy.

The BP of n-butanol is 117.7C according to Aldrich, so that is likely what you have. You could check the density for 0.81 as well, with a vol flask, grad. pipette, or a syringe.
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Steve_hi
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[*] posted on 23-7-2013 at 17:13


Thanks Dr. Bob could you please explain how to check the density.
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[*] posted on 23-7-2013 at 17:25


<strong>Steve_hi</strong>, try searching before asking such questions.

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relative_density#Measurement" target="_blank">Your answer.</a> <img src="../scipics/_wiki.png" />

Weigh a container. Fill it with a known volume of the liquid. Weigh it again. Do the math.



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