To obtain almost pure ethanoic acid from an aqueous solution, you can follow a process known as acid-base extraction or solvent extraction. Here's a step-by-step procedure:
Start with the aqueous solution of ethanoic acid in the beaker.
Add a water-immiscible organic solvent, such as ethyl acetate or diethyl ether, to the beaker containing the solution. These solvents can selectively extract the ethanoic acid from the aqueous solution.
Stir or shake the mixture vigorously to ensure thorough mixing of the organic solvent and the aqueous solution. This allows the ethanoic acid to transfer from the water phase to the organic solvent phase.
Allow the mixture to settle, as the organic solvent and aqueous phases will separate into distinct layers due to their immiscibility. The denser aqueous layer will settle at the bottom, while the organic solvent layer will float on top.
Carefully separate the organic solvent layer (upper layer) from the aqueous layer (lower layer) using a separating funnel or by carefully pouring the upper layer into a separate container.
The organic solvent layer now contains the ethanoic acid. To further purify it, you can perform a drying step. Transfer the organic solvent layer to a clean container and add an anhydrous drying agent like anhydrous sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate. These drying agents will absorb any remaining water present in the organic solvent.
After adding the drying agent, stir or shake the mixture for some time to allow water absorption.
Filter the mixture to separate the drying agent from the organic solvent layer. This can be done by passing the mixture through a filter paper or using a filtration setup.
Collect the filtrate, which now contains almost pure ethanoic acid dissolved in the organic solvent.
To obtain pure ethanoic acid, you can evaporate the organic solvent by subjecting the filtrate to gentle heating. The organic solvent will evaporate, leaving behind the pure ethanoic acid.
Finally, you can collect the pure ethanoic acid residue obtained after evaporation.
Please note that working with organic solvents and strong acids requires proper safety precautions and knowledge of handling hazardous chemicals. It is essential to follow appropriate safety measures, such as using protective equipment and working in a well-ventilated area.