# 5.4B: Predicting the Boiling Temperature


The boiling point of a liquid or solution drops when the pressure is reduced in a distillation apparatus. It is helpful to be able to predict the altered boiling point depending on the pressure inside the apparatus.

The lowest pressure attainable inside the apparatus depends largely on the vacuum source and the integrity of the seal on the joints. Lower pressures are attainable when using a portable vacuum pump$$^{14}$$ than when using a water aspirator or the building's house vacuum (Figure 5.49). Due to the very low pressures possible with oil pumps in portable vacuums, these vacuum distillations should be conducted in the fume hood behind a blast shield.

Water aspirators are the most common vacuum source in teaching labs because they are inexpensive. When a water aspirator is used, the vacuum pressure is always limited by the intrinsic vapor pressure of water, which is often between $$17.5 \: \text{mm} \: \ce{Hg}$$ $$\left( 20^\text{o} \text{C} \right)$$ and $$23.8 \: \text{mm} \: \ce{Hg}$$ $$\left( 25^\text{o} \text{C} \right)$$.$$^{15}$$ the vacuum pressure is also very dependent on water flow, which can vary greatly. If an entire lab section uses the water lines at the same time, the water flow can be significantly compromised, leading to a much higher pressure than $$25 \: \text{mm} \: \ce{Hg}$$ inside an apparatus. The number of students using aspirators at one time should be limited as much as possible.

If a manometer is available, the distillation apparatus should be set up and evacuated without heating to measure the pressure. The expected boiling point of a compound can then be roughly estimated using a nomograph (found in a CRC or online) or through the general guidelines in Table 5.9. If a manometer is not available and a water aspirator is to be used, the expected boiling point can be estimated using an approximate pressure of $$20 \: \text{mm} \: \ce{Hg}$$, although the pressure will likely be higher than this.

Figure 5.9: Approximate boiling point of compounds at reduced pressure (all in ºC).$$^{16}$$
Boiling point at 760 mmHG 150 170 200 220 250 270 300
Boiling point at 20 mmHG 62 78 101 117 141 157 181
Boiling point at 18 mmHG 60 76 99 115 139 154 178
Boiling point at 16 mmHG 58 73 97 112 136 151 174
Boiling point at 14 mmHG 56 71 94 108 133 148 171
Boiling point at 12 mmHG 52 68 90 104 129 144 167

$$^{14}$$A Kugelrohr apparatus can obtain pressures as low as $$0.05 \: \text{mm} \: \ce{Hg}$$, as reported by the Sigma-Aldrich operating instructions.

$$^{15}$$J. A. Dean, Lange's Handbook of Chemistry, 15$$^\text{th}$$ ed., McGraw-Hill, 199, Sect 5.28.

$$^{16}$$Selected values from: A. J. Gordon and R. J. Ford, The Chemist's Companion. A Handbook of Practical Data, Techniques and References, Wiley & Sons, 1972, p 32-33.

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