Introduction:

Partition coefficient is also known as the distribution coefficient. If in a system of two immiscible
or slightly miscible solvent, a substance, soluble in both the solvents is added, then the added
substance will distribute itself between the two liquids in a definite manner depending upon its
solubility. At equilibrium the ratio of the concentrations of the solute in the two liquids is constant
at a given temperature and is called the distribution coefficient or partition coefficient.

Objective:

1) The main objective of this experiment is to determine the partition coefficient of iodine between
carbon tetrachloride and water.

Theory:

In this experiment, the partition coefficient of iodine between carbon tetrachloride and water was
determined. According to the distribution law, the partition coefficient is the ratio of the
concentration of particular substance in organic medium to aqueous medium at equilibrium and
certain temperature. To perform this experiment we need to know the concentration of iodine in
both organic and aqueous layer of the reference solution. The molecular state of iodine in both the
solvents CCl4 and water is the same as I2 and hence the partition coefficient is practically
independent of concentration in dilute solutions. Hence, the distribution law in its simplest form
may be applied i.e. K=Corganic/Cwate.

Chemicals:
 CCl4
 H2O
 I2
 Starch

Materials:
 Baker
 Funnel
 Burette
 Pipette
 Volumetric Flask
CALCULATION AND TABULATION:

CCl4:Water Initial Final Difference C1 Initial Final Difference C2 K= ⃑

𝑘
reading reading reading reading 𝐶2
𝐶1

20:80 20 21.5 1.5 0.375 3.5 11.6 8.1 0.00405 92.59

20:80 23 24.5 1.5 0.375 12 18.6 6.6 0.0035 125 128

.19
20:80 25 27.2 2.2 0.55 20 26.6 6.6 0.0033 167

RESULT:
𝐶
We know, 𝑘 = 𝐶2
1

where, C2=concentration of organic layer

C1= concentration of inorganic layer

Calculated values are 92.59, 125 and 167.

The average value of partial co-efficient of Iodine between CCl4 and water is 128.19.

Discussion:
In this experiment, the main purpose was to calculate the partition co-efficient of iodine in a
mixture of CCL4 and water.
When a system is produced by mixing up of two immiscible or partially miscible solvents and
small amount of third substance, more or less soluble in both solvents then it will be distributed
itself within two solvents depending it’s solubility individually in this two solvents. At equilibrium
the ratio of the concentration of the solute in the same molecular state in the two liquids is a
constant value at a given temperature. The fact is known as partial law and the constant value is
known as the partition co-efficient.Here in this experiment, Partition co-efficient of iodine between
CCL4 and water was determined. Two sample of iodine solution was made by shaking and then
CCL4 layer was titrated with N\10 Sodium thiosulfate and water layer with N\100 Sodium
thiosulfate solution. Finally the partition co-efficient was calculated from the burette reading which
was 128.19.

Reference:
[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-destistry/partition-coefficient
[2] Course manual of Chemical Process Principles (CEP- 352)
[3] Experimental physical chemistry by V.d Athawale