In: Chemistry
What was the role of zinc in the conversion of nitrobenzene to aniline? During the isolation of aniline, why was it so important to add enough NaOH to reach a pH of 13. What was the potential consequence of stopping at a pH less than 13?
While conversion of Nitrobenze to aniline need electrons, Zinc will give electrons to Nitro group and helps to reduce.
After completion of the reaction, the compound is in the form of counterion salt of aniline.
The solution must be made alkaline before the steam distillation to convert the anilinium ions into aniline molecules, which exert a much higher vapour pressure than the ion and thus allow steam distillation of the aniline.
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The addition of the sodium hydroxide converts the anilinium ion into the molecular aniline, by removal of a proton, the aniline will now be much more soluble in ether than in water, and thus the ethereal solution is retained.