Lab 6.2 Purify Ethanol

[Jeff]

I see your distillation apparatus in Lab 6.2 of the Home Chemistry book, but no directions in how to put it together and the parts list for construction.  Can you please provide some help?

[Robert Bruce Thompson]

I'm not sure what I can say, other than what's in the text and image.

The distillation vessel is a flask with a one-hole stopper with a short
piece of glass tubing inserted into it. The receiving vessel is another
flask with a two-hole stopper with at least one of the holes having a
short piece of glass tubing inserted. Secure both flasks with ring
stands and clamps. Use a piece of flexible tubing to connect the flasks
together. Place the distillation vessel on a hotplate or other heat
source. Immerse the receiving vessel in an ice water bath to keep it
cool. Make sure the second hole in the receiving vessel stopper is open
to the air. Apply heat, and the vapor exits the distillation vessel and
goes to the receiving vessel, where the cool surface causes it to
condense. The open stopper hole ensure that there's no pressure build-up
that might cause the flask to shatter.