Methanoic acid mixes with water in all proportions and has about the same boiling point...

JAMB 1979

Methanoic acid mixes with water in all proportions and has about the same boiling point as water which of the following methods would you adopt to obtain pure water from a mixture of stand, water and methanoic acid?

A. fractional distillation
B. filtration followed by distillation
C. neutralization with sodium hydroxide followed by distillation
D. esterification with ethanol followed by distillation
E. neutralization with sodium hydroxide followed by filtration

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Correct Answer: Option E

Explanation

Water added to an acid decreases its pH, hence, methanoic acid and water (azeotropes with very close boiling points) will be more acidic. Hence, addition of sodium hydroxide forms a salt and water. Then filtration can be done easily.

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