How would you distill an unknown solution of 3 liquids.

Question

anonymous · Answer

1) assume diff in bp of the 3 liquids is greater than 10 degrees cel.
2) assume 2 azeotropes form
2. Would this be possible if only one azeotrope formed?

cuanchi · Answer

An azeotrope is a mixture that exhibits the same concentration in the vapor phase and the liquid phase. This is in contrast to ideal solutions with one component typically more volatile than the other; this is how we use distillation to separate materials. If the mixture forms an azeotrope, the vapor and the liquid concentrations are the same, which preventing separation via this approach. http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Physical_Chemistry/Physical_Properties_of_Matter/Solutions_and_Mixtures/Nonideal_Solutions/Azeotropes

anonymous · Answer

That is true. However, you can distill the azeotrope and one of the components the azetrope is formed from. For example in the case of 50% v/v 1-propanol-water which displays a lower boiling point than any of its components. You can form the azetrope with a composition of 70% prop and 30% water, and the remaining would be water.

anonymous · Answer

I'm just not sure about 3 liquids, and 2 azetropes forming.