Separate Ethyl Acetate From Water
On how to separate ethyl acetate and water
If you want to separate ethyl acetate and water, when the nature of the two is known. Ethyl acetate, a fruity liquid, is slightly soluble in water, lighter in density than water, and immiscible with water. Water, the source of all things, colorless and odorless, can dissolve all things. The two have different properties, which is the basis for separation.

First, you can apply the method of liquid separation. Take a mixed liquid containing ethyl acetate and water and pour it into the liquid separation funnel. When the tablet is left standing, due to the difference in density between the two, ethyl acetate floats on the upper layer and water sinks below. Then slowly unscrew the funnel piston, so that the water in the lower layer flows out, to the interface near the piston, and close the piston. The ethyl acetate in the upper layer remains in the funnel. This is the key to separating the liquid, and the two can be initially divided.

Second, if you want a higher purity, you can continue with distillation. The ethyl acetate that has been initially separated by separation is placed in a distillation flask, and a few zeolites are added to prevent boiling. Heat with an alcohol lamp to heat up the liquid in the bottle. Ethyl acetate has a low boiling point. It is first vaporized into steam, cooled by a condenser tube, and reformed into a liquid, which flows into the receiver. The boiling point of water is higher, and it remains in the distillation flask, so that ethyl acetate can be further purified.

Third, you can also use a desiccant. Choose a desiccant such as anhydrous sodium sulfate and put it in ethyl acetate containing trace amounts of water. The desiccant absorbs water, combines it, lets it stand and filters, and removes the desiccant to obtain a purer ethyl acetate.

To separate ethyl acetate and water, it is necessary to choose the method according to the situation, or use one of them alone, or a combination of several methods, to achieve the desired effect.