Study of the steam distillation of phenolic compounds using ultraviolet spectrometry

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1986 · Anal. Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00294a034· OSTI ID:6148148

Norwitz, G; Nataro, N; Keliher, P N

The steam distillation of 42 phenolic compounds was studied by use of a semimicro steam distillation apparatus and ultraviolet spectrometry. In the distillation, the following gave recoveries greater than 95%: phenol, 2-nitrophenol, 2-methoxyphenol, 2-bromophenol, 2-chlorophenol, 2,3- and 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,5- and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,4-dibromophenol, 2-, 3-, and 4-methylphenol, 4-chloro-2-methylphenol, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4-, and 3,5-dimethylphenol, 4-tert-butylphenol, 4-tert-amylpheno,, thymol, and carvacrol. The percent recovery for the other phenolic compounds was as follows: 3-nitrophenol, 3.7%; 4-nitrophenol, 1.8; 3-methoxyphenol, 31.1; 4-methoxyphenol, 23.2; 3-bromophenol, 79.6; 4-bromophenol, 67.8; 3-chlorophenol, 93.5; 4-chlorophenol, 91.6; 3,4-dichlorophenol, 64.1; 2,4-dinitrophenol, 21.2; 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, 0.0; 2-aminophenol, 0.1; 3-aminophenol, 0.2; 4-aminophenol, 0.1; pyrocatechol, 1.6; resorcinol, 04.; hydroquinone, 0.0; pyrogallol, 0.7; and phloroglucinol, 0.1. By the examination of the spectra of the undistilled, distilled, and residual solutions, it is concluded that the aminophenols undergo some decomposition and the hydroquinone is almost completely destroyed during the distillation. The important role that hydrogen bonding (intermolecular and intramolecular) plays in the recovery in the steam distillation is examined. 9 references, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: Villanova Univ., PA
• OSTI ID: 6148148
• Journal Information: Anal. Chem.; (United States), Vol. 58:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
AROMATICS
BOILING POINTS
DECOMPOSITION
DISTILLATION
MELTING POINTS
SOLUBILITY
CHEMICAL BONDS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HYDROGEN
STEAM
ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRA
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DATA
ELEMENTS
INFORMATION
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPECTRA
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE
400301* - Organic Chemistry- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties- (-1987)