Writing protocol for the quantitative analysis of phenol in ethanol.

Aim: (1) To prepare a method for the quantification of phenol in aqueous/ethanol solutions.

Write a method according to the sections listed below (steps 1 to 3) for the quantification of phenol. The reagents and equipment listed below should be utilised in your protocol.

Reagents: GR grade phenol (Guaranteed Reagent Merck) assay at 99.0 to 100.5% purity. Ethanol AR reagent grade. Distilled/deionised water.

Equipment:

Bulb pipettes (available in sizes 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5 mL).

Analytical balance 4 decimal place. Storage bottle (250 mL).

Measuring cylinders (100 and 10 mL). Volumetric flasks (100 and 50 mL).

Beakers (various sizes)

Quartz UV cells 1 cm path-length

Scanning UV spectrophometer

Steps: (1) Prepare a stock solution of phenol (1000 ppm) in ethanol. (Concentration must be accurately known).

(2) Prepare phenol standards in ethanol (7 non zero standards + 1 blank, such that the absorbance range is between 0.1 to 2. Note: the molar absorptivity coefficient of phenol is 2340 cm-1/M at 270 nm.

(3) Analyse the phenol standards to establish a calibration curve using a UV spectrophotometer at = 270 nm

Note 1: Your method must be written in a manner that allows other chemists to undertake the experiment without any level of uncertainty associated with what must be undertaken.

You have undertaken a theoretical preparation of a calibration curve for phenol in ethanol.