Methodology

Materials and Equipment

The experiment required the use of the following equipment: a refractometer for
measuring the refractive index of the solutions prepared, burettes for dispensing the reagents to
be mixed with accurate volume, Erlenmeyer flasks for containing the reagents to be titrated,
flasks with stoppers for the reagents to be mixed, pipettes for transferring reagents with accurate
volume, and graduated cylinders and beakers to aid in the preparation of the mixtures.

The reagents used for this experiment were RCI Labscan® Toluene, A.R., and
A.R.Univar® Isopropanol, A.R.

Preparation of mixtures

There were two main sets of mixtures in the experiment performed which involved the
measuring of the refractive index of liquids. For the first part, mixtures of toluene and
isopropanol were prepared with varying amounts in Erlenmeyer flasks which were numbered for
identification. The details of the mixtures are indicated in Table 1.

Table 1. Isopropanol and toluene amounts

Flask Toluene (mL) Isopropanol (mL)

1 29.4 5.1
2 27.7 6.6
3 23.1 108
4 19.7 14.4
5 15.2 17.4
6 11.7 18.9
7 9.1 19.4
8 8.6 18.5
9 6.0 18.5
10 1.75 13.9
11 0.75 11.6

For the second part, the mixtures prepared were of 10 mL toluene and 10 mL water
which were placed in different flasks with stoppers. For each flask (numbered 1 to 10), different
amounts of isopropanol were then added. The amounts of isopropanol added are indicated in
Table 2.

Table 2. Amount of isopropanol added

Flask Isopropanol (mL)

1 0.0
2 0.5
3 1.0
4 2.0
5 3.5
6 5.0
7 7.5
8 10.0
9 12.5
10 15.0

Titration of solutions and measuring of refractive index

Each of the solutions prepared as indicated in Table 1 were titrated with water. Distilled
water was placed into the burette and each solution was titrated with water. The flasks were
swirled after each addition of water and observed for the appearance of a permanent turbidity as
shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Turbid solutions after addition of water

 Figure 2. Titration of the mixtures with water

To hasten the process for the solutions with more toluene, one-third of the amount of
isopropanol that was to be mixed to the solution was not added immediately. The solution was
titrated until the appearance of turbidity and then the remaining amount of isopropanol was
added and subsequently titrated with water until it became turbid again. The volume of water
added was then recorded. The turbid solutions were then tested for their refractive index using
the refractometer.

Figure 3. Refractometer used in the experiment

Measuring the refractive index of mixtures with layers

The solutions prepared as indicated by Table 2 were shook vigorously and left to stand
until the appearance of two layers of liquids was observed (as shown in Figure 4). The layers for
each solution were measured for their refractive index by obtaining an amount from the top layer
or lower layer using a medicine dropper.

Figure 4. Solution with two layers of liquid