[danika.frederick]

I'm assuming you would do an extraction to do this but I honestly have no idea. I thought maybe you could dissolve the adipic acid in ethanol or water (or a mixture of the 2) and do a simple distillation but I'm really lost. Any advice is appreciated!

[discodermolide]

what do acids react with that alcohols don't?

[zsinger]

There are several ways to do this based on solubility.  There are also several ways to proceed based on Bronsted Lowry A/B Chem.  I like your distillation idea, but watch for azeotropes.  If you don't understand basic azeotropes, read a smidgen on it, and it will help you grasp distillation (all kinds) with a much more scientific understanding.  I also like discodermolides idea…….thats the beautiful part about this subject!!!!!!  It is so open for discussion and thinking!!!!!

[zsinger]

CHECK THEIR BOILING POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!  Adipic acid boils waaaaaay higher i would imagine.  Cyclohexanol is around 160-165 C if I remember correctly.  Check Adipic acid .  There is your answer.
         -Zack

[discodermolide]

What's wrong with an extractive separation? Why muck around with distillation apparatus, probably even with vacuum.
Extraction is the way to go.

[zsinger]

All preference my man.  Although, you are CORRECT in your suggestion of lab ware setup.  I looked up the difference, and it is VERY obvious which comes over at a lower temp. (cyclohexanol).  Get a nice mixture with LOTS of boiling stones going, and start increasing to around 160 C slowly.  Cyclohexanol comes over in good quantity, as long as that 160 is MAINTAINED.

[zsinger]

scorching of other product not likely because the BP is WELL over 200.