2. During the extraction of trimyristin from nutmeg, the ground nutmeg is reflux

Question

2. During the extraction of trimyristin from nutmeg, the ground nutmeg is refluxed with ether for some time and then filtered to remove the insoluble solids. After subsequent removal of most of the ether by distillation, acetone is added to the concentrated ether extract- after some time, crystals of trimyristin separate out.

a. Explain the need for “reflux” in this procedure. (1 point)

b. Why is acetone added to the concentrated ether extract? Why not simply allow all the ether to evaporate and leave behind the extracted trimyristin? Explain clearly. (1 point)

c. Where do you expect the impurities to be found? Explain clearly. (1 point)

Explanation / Answer

a. Refluxing is needed to extract the maximum amount of trimyristin in to the solvent ether from the nutmeg ground powder. Eventhough the solubility of trimyristin is high in ether but will increase under elevated temperature or reflux temperature. Because, Trimyristin makes up between 20-25% of the overall mass of dried, ground nutmeg.

b. Trimyristin is a white to yellowish-gray solid that is insoluble in water, but soluble in ethanol, benzene, chloroform, dichloromethane, and ether.and has less solubility in acetone. Hence the evaporation from ether and adding acetone will aid the filtration process of the product isolated rather than finding the sticky product in the flask.

c. The possible impurities are left behind in the team distillation flask because the product was obtained by the steam distillationand remainents are in the original flask itself. Finally the product was obtained by filtration of acetone solutionn and the last trace impurities left in the acetone solvent itself.

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