Chemistry A-Level
Distillation versus reflux
What Distillation versus reflux means in Chemistry A-Level, as defined for OCR.
Definition of Distillation versus reflux
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Reference: OCR
Distillation removes the lower-boiling aldehyde as it forms, preventing further oxidation, whereas heating under reflux with excess oxidising agent keeps the aldehyde in contact with the reagent and oxidises it on to the carboxylic acid.
Topics that use Distillation versus reflux
- Alcohols (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- acid catalysis
- Acidified dichromate(VI) as oxidising agent
- Balancing redox half-equations
- Controlling oxidation products
- Counting carbon neighbours of the –OH-bearing carbon
- Elimination reactions
- Intermolecular hydrogen bonding
- Observable colour change as evidence of redox
Using Distillation versus reflux in the exam
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