I read from a source that aniline and water can be separated by steam distillation. But isn't this senseless as steam distillation will simply add more water and make separation more difficult?
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asked Mar 28 '17 at 7:33
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Can't we just distill the aniline off?
The boiling point of aniline is around 180 °C. Remember that water boils at 100 °C.
Do water and aniline mix?
Yes, but the solubility of aniline in water is rather low (around $\pu{30 g/l}$).
What's the advantage of the steam distillation?
Aniline and water form an azeotrope with a boiling point around 98 °C.
answered Mar 28 '17 at 9:20
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1$\begingroup$ @AaronJohnSabu No, because the boiling point of the azeotrope is lower than that of water. $\endgroup$ – Klaus-Dieter Warzecha Mar 28 '17 at 18:13
