Explain the purpouse of reflux in the oxidation of ethanol to ethanoic acid

Reflux apparatus is when a distillation tube is surrounded by an apparatus that pumps cold water around it in order to condense its compounds in the mixture
As ethanol has a low boiling point, it evaporates fairly quickly.This means some of the ethanol may escape before it has been fully oxidised ino a carboxylic acid. Reflux therefore allows ethanol to be condensed back into liquid form to ensure all of the reactants are used up in the reaction. This will help increase the yield of ethanoic acid.

Answered by Monisah A. Chemistry tutor

17796 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What are the 3 main types of chemical bonding? Give definitions of them.


What causes a chemical reaction to happen?


Liquid ammonia (NH3) and water (H2O) both show hydrogen bonding, describe what a hydrogen bond is and what it is conferred by


How does the electronegativity of the halogen atom change as group 7 is descended?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences