Explain what the solubility of cyclohexanol in water has to do with the % yield.
In this experiment water and cyclohexene were refluxed for some time. The theoretical yield in
this experiment was 20.00g of cyclohexanol. The experimental yeild of cyclohexanol produced
was 55%. This is quite low, what could be the reasons for this relating to solubilty. Show all
relavalnt numerical values if any apply.
Thank you!
Solution
As the product cyclohexanol is quite soluble in water. Most of the product formed remained in
water and only some of it was isolated to give a very low yield of the reaction. Cyclohexanol an
alcohol forms strong hydrogen bond with water (solvent) and dissolves easily in it. If in case
cyclohexnol was formed and isolated using a water-immiscible solvent, we would get higher
yield for the product (greater than 20.00 g).