Why is absolute ethanol rather than 95% ethanol used in an experiment for the preparation of Benzocaine?
2 Answers
Benzocaine is not very soluble in water.
Explanation:
Benzocaine is soluble in Ethanol, Methanol and Diethyl Ether. But it is not very soluble in water. Having water in the solution would decrease the solubility and would create a lot of hassle later.
Using 95 % ethanol would reduce the yield of benzocaine.
Explanation:
Benzocaine is prepared by the Fischer esterification of 4-aminobenzoic acid with ethanol.
The reaction is a chemical equilibrium.
Per Le Châtelier's Principle, any water in the mixture will shift the position of equilibrium to the left.
Using 95 % ethanol-5 % water will decrease the yield of benzocaine.