4-Tert-Butyl Phenol And Triphenylamine

After the extraction, recrystallization, and determination of melting points for the unknown compound #4 were performed, and observations were noted, the results were obtained. The two compounds yielded were 4-tert-butyl phenol and triphenylamine. The masses obtained of each compound were 0.071g and 0.298g. The melting point ranges obtained are as follows; for the first the solid started to melt at 94 ˚C and was completely melted at 98˚C, and for the second the solid started to melt at 115 ˚C and was completely melted at 125˚C. When compared to the physical constants table values the closest related compounds are 4-tert-butyl phenol and triphenylamine. The melting point for 4-tert-butyl phenol is 98 ˚C, and for triphenylamine the melting is …show more content…
In this experiment, the percent recovery values were 14.2% and 59.7%. The lower percent recovery means that only a small amount of crystals were recovered. This error could be due to the fact that some of the organic compounds may have formed hydrogen bonds and therefore been soluble in water resulting in the loss of some organic compound during filtration. Another reason for such a low percent recovery could be due to the drying agent. If the drying agent is added in large amounts it could lead to losing of the organic solvent by adsorption of the organic liquid. A better experimental result would show much higher percent recovery than the ones obtained. Obtaining a 100% recovery means that nothing was lost in the process. Also, the compound could have been impure and/or contaminated and so yielding false results. One final reason for the deviation in percent recovery is also due to wrong measurements taken for the filter paper before and again with the addition of the crystals. Wrong measurements would not provide the right amount of mass for the compounds and therefore percent recovery would not be calculated