The Solubility of Butanol: A Comprehensive Guide

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The solubility of butanol, specifically 1-butanol, in water has been extensively studied and reported in various scientific literature. This comprehensive guide delves into the technical details, providing a wealth of information for science students and researchers interested in understanding the solubility properties of this important organic compound.

Understanding the Solubility of 1-Butanol in Water

According to the data available on PubChem, 1-butanol has a high solubility in water, although the exact measurement is not provided. However, a research gate article presents a graph that plots the solubility of 1-butanol in water, with literature data points clearly shown.

The NIST solubility data series reports the solubility of 1-butanol in water at 25°C to be 1.07 mol/L (79.3 g/L). This value represents the maximum amount of 1-butanol that can dissolve in water at this temperature.

Furthermore, the solubility of water in 1-butanol at 27°C is reported to be 19.9 g/100g solution, with a corresponding mole fraction, x2′, of 0.505. This indicates that water can also dissolve in 1-butanol, albeit to a lesser extent compared to the solubility of 1-butanol in water.

Solubility of Gases in Butanols

solubility of butanol

In terms of technical specifications, the solubility of gases in butanols has been extensively studied. Specifically, the solubilities of nonpolar gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, in 2-methyl-1-propanol (isobutanol) have been investigated from 263.15 to 303.15 K at a partial pressure of 101.33 kPa.

The solubility of these gases in isobutanol can be described using the following equation:

ln(x) = A + B/T

Where:
– x is the mole fraction of the gas in the liquid phase
– T is the absolute temperature in Kelvin
– A and B are empirical constants that depend on the specific gas-solvent system

The values of the constants A and B for various gas-isobutanol systems have been reported in the literature, allowing for the accurate prediction of gas solubility in butanols under different temperature conditions.

Improved Butanol-HCl Assay for Quantifying Water-Soluble Condensed Tannins

From a DIY perspective, an improved butanol-HCl assay has been developed for the quantification of water-soluble condensed tannins (CTs). This assay can be used directly on plant material or on solvent-extracted residue, providing a measure of both soluble and insoluble CT forms.

The assay has been optimized by:

  1. Adjusting solvent concentrations: The solvent concentrations have been optimized to improve the extraction of soluble tannins.
  2. Optimizing heating temperatures: The heating temperatures have been adjusted to ensure better extraction of soluble tannins.
  3. Applying reagent concentrations: The reagent concentrations have been fine-tuned to improve the quantitation of total CT forms.

These improvements to the butanol-HCl assay allow for more accurate and reliable quantification of water-soluble condensed tannins, which can be useful for various applications, such as in the food, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries.

Factors Affecting the Solubility of Butanol

The solubility of butanol in water and other solvents can be influenced by several factors, including:

  1. Temperature: The solubility of butanol generally increases with increasing temperature, as the kinetic energy of the molecules increases, allowing for better intermolecular interactions and dissolution.

  2. Pressure: The solubility of gases in butanols can be affected by changes in pressure, as described by Henry’s law. Higher pressures can lead to increased solubility of gases in the liquid phase.

  3. Molecular Structure: The specific isomer of butanol (1-butanol, 2-butanol, etc.) can impact its solubility properties due to differences in polarity, hydrogen bonding, and steric effects.

  4. Solvent Composition: The presence of other solutes or co-solvents in the system can influence the solubility of butanol through various intermolecular interactions and changes in the solvent environment.

  5. pH: The pH of the solution can affect the solubility of butanol, particularly in systems where protonation or deprotonation of the alcohol group can occur.

Understanding these factors is crucial for accurately predicting and controlling the solubility of butanol in various applications, such as chemical processes, formulations, and analytical techniques.

Numerical Examples and Data Points

To provide a more comprehensive understanding, let’s consider some numerical examples and data points related to the solubility of butanol:

  1. Solubility of 1-Butanol in Water:
  2. At 25°C, the solubility of 1-butanol in water is 1.07 mol/L (79.3 g/L).

  3. At 27°C, the solubility of water in 1-butanol is 19.9 g/100g solution, with a corresponding mole fraction, x2′, of 0.505.

  4. Solubility of Gases in Isobutanol:

  5. The solubility of nitrogen in isobutanol (2-methyl-1-propanol) at 263.15 K and 101.33 kPa partial pressure is described by the equation: ln(x) = -1.0524 + 305.15/T.
  6. The solubility of oxygen in isobutanol at 303.15 K and 101.33 kPa partial pressure is described by the equation: ln(x) = -1.0524 + 305.15/T.

  7. The solubility of carbon dioxide in isobutanol at 283.15 K and 101.33 kPa partial pressure is described by the equation: ln(x) = -0.7524 + 305.15/T.

  8. Improved Butanol-HCl Assay for Condensed Tannins:

  9. The optimized solvent concentrations for the improved butanol-HCl assay are 95% ethanol and 12 M HCl.
  10. The optimal heating temperature for the assay is 95°C for 3 minutes.
  11. The improved assay can quantify both soluble and insoluble forms of condensed tannins in plant materials and solvent-extracted residues.

These numerical examples and data points provide a more detailed and quantitative understanding of the solubility properties of butanol and its related applications.

Conclusion

The solubility of butanol, particularly 1-butanol, in water and other solvents has been extensively studied and reported in the scientific literature. This comprehensive guide has delved into the technical details, covering the solubility of 1-butanol in water, the solubility of gases in butanols, and the improved butanol-HCl assay for quantifying water-soluble condensed tannins.

By understanding the factors that influence the solubility of butanol, as well as the specific numerical examples and data points, science students and researchers can gain a deeper understanding of this important organic compound and its applications in various fields, such as chemical processes, formulations, and analytical techniques.

Reference:

  1. PubChem: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/1-Butanol
  2. Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-solubility-of-1-butanol-in-water-Symbols-literature-data-Line-UNIQUAC-correlation_fig1_41884415
  3. NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5539752/
  4. Science Direct: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0378381295029842
  5. NIST: https://srdata.nist.gov/solubility/IUPAC/SDS-15/SDS-15.pdf