Isopentyl acetate distillation

Isoamyl acetate (l-butyl-3-methyl acetate, isopentyl acetate) [123-92-2] M 130.2, b 142.0 , d 4 0.871, n p 1.40535. Dry the acetate with finely divided K2CO3 and fractionally distil it. [Beilstein 2IV 157.]... 

It would be helpful now to study the separation scheme for isopentyl acetate shown in Technique 2, Figure 2.1. Note carefully how the following procedures are shown in a flowchart the extraction step with NaHCOg, the drying step with anhydrous NajSO, and the distillation step. Also note that in this experiment it is not possible to identify with certainty the actual impurities present with isopentyl acetate just before the product is distilled. In some experiments it will be possible to make a good guess about the identity of mosf subsfances at each step in the separation scheme. 

Purification and Characterization. Distill the isopentyl acetate product at a sand bath temperature of 160-180 °C. As the material collects in the coUar of the stiU, transfer it by Fhsteur pipet (9 in.) to a tared -dram vial. 

In the isolation procedure, much of the excess acetic acid and the remaining isopentyl alcohol are removed by extraction with sodium bicarbonate and water. After drying with anhydrous sodium sulfate, the ester is purified by distillation. The purity of fhe liquid product is analyzed by performing a microscale boiling point determination or infrared spectroscopy. 

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