3.) (4 points) A chemist performs a melting point analysis on an unknown purple

Question

3.) (4 points) A chemist performs a melting point analysis on an unknown purple compound and finds that it melts between 134.4-136°C. The chemist concludes that the purple compound is pure compound X or pure compound Y, both purple solids. The chemist then performs a melting point analysis on both known compounds X and Y, and finds they both melt within a similar range as the unknown compound. What could the chemist do, using only materials and techniques they have already used, to determine the unknown compound?

Explanation / Answer

Mix unknown compound with compound X and determine the melting point of the mixture. If the melting point of the mixture is in the range 134.4 to 136 deg C, then the unknown compound is compound X. If the melting point of the mixture is much lower than 134.4 to 136 deg C, then the unknown compound is compound Y or some other compound (not compound X).

Mix unknown compound with compound Y and determine the melting point of the mixture. If the melting point of the mixture is in the range 134.4 to 136 deg C, then the unknown compound is compound Y. If the melting point of the mixture is much lower than 134.4 to 136 deg C, then the unknown compound is compound X or some other compound (not compound Y).

Note: When two compounds having same melting point are mixed, the melting point of the mixture is much lower than the melting point of either compound.

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