During steam distillation, an organic liquid boils at a temperature: — Practical Organic Chemistry and Purification Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

In steam distillation, the mixture boils when $P_{\text{total}} = p_{\text{organic}} + p_{\text{water}}$. Since the organic liquid's vapor pressure is supplemented by water's vapor pressure, it boils at a lower temperature than its normal b.p.