[Robertsays]

Hi, I just want to try and understand a lab that I am doing.

Propyl benzoate (ester) has a boiling point of 231 degrees celsuis.
1-propanol (alcohol) has a boiling point of 97 degrees celsius.

If I have a sample of propyl benzoate with a small amount of 1-propanol present, would I expect the measured boiling point to be slightly lower than 231 degrees, or would the alcohol simply boil off as the solution is heated passed 97 degrees, and then view another boiling point at 231 degrees for the ester?

I assumed the alcohol is boiled off once at 97 degrees, leaving the ester, but isn't a boiling point determination used to help determine the purity of the solution? If the alcohol is boiled off, it would leave pure ester and give you the expected boiling point at 231 degrees.

[Schrödinger]

i hope Propyl benzoate (ester) and 1-propanol (alcohol) don't react with each other.

With that assumption, if they are miscible liquids, then what we are dealing with is the very principle behind distillation. The liquids still have their individuality, and so boil exactly at their respective boiling points. This was what i think.

If you are thinking about the dipole interactions, then i think they would be broken by the time you come close to the temperatures you mentioned.

Please correct me if i am wrong.