In: Chemistry
Solution:
Isolation of trimyristin a triester is isolated from nutmeg (ground nutmeg seeds) by dissolving nutmeg in ether which is a volatile solvent (low boiling point solvent).Refluxing is done very gently to avoid boiling of ether. Boiling of ether would result in all of the solvent to evaporate out of the flask during reflux.
Another reason for the loss of solvent and product during reflux is that the finely divided nutmeg causes the mixture to bump (boil violently). Excessive heating may cause some of the mixture to bump out of the flask. Bumping can be mi minimized by heating the reaction mixture very gently.