Q&A: why is coconut oil used as the heating bath for melting point determination of organic compounds?
Question by ryokawa619: why is coconut oil used as the heating bath for melting point determination of organic compounds?
please…somebody help me…. I’m left with only two days to answer the question…
Best answer:
Answer by Zor Prime
Lancenigo di Villorba (TV), Italy
Coconut Oil is an oily matter.
Chemically speaking, it comes from PALMITIN or Glycerol-Palmitates.
This organic compound is an ester which Empyrical Formula reach C51H56O6.
By so, YOU CORRECTLY ATTEND THAT :
- PALMITIN HAS VERY LOW VAPOUR-PRESSURE, e.g. relatively high Boiling Point which allows you to look for High Melting Point Data ;
- PALMITIN RESULTS A VISCOUS FLUID, e.g. its Heat Adduction runs slowly by a uniform feature like viscous media do.
Finally, YOU CHOSEN PALMITIN BECAUSE IT ASSURES YOU TO REACH HIGH Melting Point AVOIDING DISUNIFORM HEATING OF CRYSTAL TO MELT.
I hope this helps you.
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Tags: Bath, Coconut, Compounds, determination, heating, melting, Organic, Point, used
It has three key properties that make it useful for melting point determination of organic compounds.
1. it is clear and you can see the M.Pt tube through it. It stays pretty clear on heating.
2. it can be heated to around 250C without boiling which is high enough to melt most organic compounds.
3. it does not catch fire when heated unless heated beyond the top recommended temperature.