Question

Chloroform (b.p. 61.2°C) and acetone (b.p. 56°C) are mixed to form an azeotrope. The mole fraction of acetone in this mixture is 0.339. Predict whether the boiling point of the azeotrope formed will be

1. 60°C
2. 64.5°C or
3. 54°C

Defend your answer with reason.

Answer 1

(ii) 64.5°C

Reason:

Chloroform and acetone mixtures show negative deviation from Raoult’s law; therefore, they form maximum boiling azeotrope at a specific composition. The boiling point of the mixture so obtained will be higher than the individual components.