While diluting a solution of salt in water, a student by mistake added acetone (boiling point 56°C). What technique can be employed to get back the acetone? Justify your choice.
Distillation can be employed to get back the acetone as it is more volatile and it will separate out first.
Acetone forms a homogeneous mixture as it is soluble in water. Acetone can get back by simple distillation because the difference in the boiling points of acetone and water are different.
Boiling point of acetone is 56°C
Boiling point of water is 100°C
In distillation flask, acetone will boil at 56°C and convert into vapours. Then, it can then be collected in the flask after condensation.