This experiment has several aspects to its purpose that include: use of a seperatory funnel and pyrex glassware for handling liquids, demonstrating some of the concepts to a patented process, demonstrating the concept of separation of immiscible liquids and demonstrating the concept of concentration by volume %, mass % and proof (ethanol).

Use of a seperatory funnel is important if labwork is to be done that requires separation of liquids.  There are several techniques that are required to properly use a seperatory funnel and most are relatively simple maneuvers that can be learned in the lab.  In subsequent labs (CHM1046L, CHM2201L, CHM3120L, CHM4135L) the use of seperatory funnels will be required for experiments, so skill in the techniques will be applicable repeatedly.  Other glassware is required that involves techniques that will be later useful such as pipets, pipet bulbs and graduated cylinders.

The patented separation process involves several flow techniques that can not be recreated in the teaching lab with effectiveness.  The processes that can be recreated are limited efficiency and scaled down.  The concept of separating ethanol by chemical interactions is comparative to more commonly known distillation of alcohol, and provides a secondary method of separation to consider.

Seperation of immiscible liquids is a concept that requires the understanding of homogenous and inhomogeneous solutions, so these concepts are incorporated into this experiment.  Since ethanol is miscible in water before addition of diethyl ether and sodium acetate, it can be seen during the experiment that a molecular interaction is occurring that causes the ethanol to separate. 

Concentration is ominously important in all of chemical and physical understanding.  Knowledge of volume % and mass % will always be necessary when gathering and analyzing quantitative data, especially for liquids.  The distinction of volume % (being dependent of temperature and pressure) and mass % (independent of temperature and pressure) is made and exemplified in the experiment.  The meaning of “proof” (when referring to ethanol in water) can be demonstrated and, in normal daily life, this has usefulness if one is consuming alcoholic beverages.