Question

a mixture containing equal numbers of moles of ethyl acetate and butyl acetate was separated using distillation. based on the diagrams shown above, which of the following identifies the substance that would be initially present in higher concentration in the distillate and correctly explains why that occurs? a ethyl acetate, because it has fewer c - c bonds to break b ethyl acetate, because it has a shorter carbon chain and weaker london dispersion forces c butyl acetate, because it has more c - c bonds to break d butyl acetate, because it has a longer carbon chain and weaker dipole - dipole attractions

Explanation:

• Distillation separates substances based on boiling points.
• London dispersion forces increase with the length of the carbon chain.
• Ethyl acetate has a shorter carbon chain than butyl acetate.
• Shorter - chain molecules have weaker London dispersion forces.
• Weaker intermolecular forces mean a lower boiling point.
• Substances with lower boiling points vaporize (and thus are in the distillate) first.

Answer:

B. Ethyl acetate, because it has a shorter carbon chain and weaker London dispersion forces