Chemistry – Experimental techniques and chemical analysis - Separation and purification | e-Consult

Method: The student could use fractional distillation. This is suitable because iodine, bromine, and chlorine have different boiling points. Iodine has the highest boiling point, followed by bromine, and then chlorine.

Apparatus Diagram:

A typical setup would involve a round-bottom flask containing the gas mixture, connected to a fractionating column (packed with glass beads), and then to a condenser. The distillate would be collected in separate receiving flasks. A diagram would visually show this arrangement.

Principles Involved: Fractional distillation separates liquids based on their boiling points. The fractionating column provides a temperature gradient, allowing for repeated vaporization and condensation. This enhances the separation of components with close boiling points. Because iodine, bromine, and chlorine have significantly different boiling points, fractional distillation is an effective method for their separation. Iodine will vaporize first, followed by bromine, and then chlorine, allowing for their collection in separate flasks.