Question

Which of the following compounds can be purified by vacuum distillaiton?

• A. Glycerine
• B. Glycerol
• C. Propane-$1,2,3$-triol
• D. Ethanol

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

The correct options are
A Propane-$1,2,3$-triol
B Glycerine
C Glycerol

Vacuum distillation is used when the boiling point of the compound or the solvent is too high in order to distill the compound or the solvent off without significant decomposition. It is based on the fact that under vacuum the boiling point of the materials is lower than at normal atmospheric pressure. Glycerine, glycerol and propone 1,2,3-triol are the three names of the same compound. It has a boiling point of 290${}^{o}C$ while ethanol has BP 79${}^{o}C$ .
Option A, B and C are correct.