Acetonitrile has been reported in some literatures as a solvent for photocatalytic oxidation of cyclohexane, and both cyclohexane and acetonitrile are 5ml (1:1). However, in my own experiments, I found that the two liquids are not mutually soluble and will be stratified. How to solve this problem?
Dear Wen Tyi this is an excellent technical question! I'm not surprised to see that this issue puzzles you. There seems to be a discrepancy between some literature references and the solubility data for acetonitrile and cyclohexane. When you check the following "Solvent MiscibilityTable" you will indeed find that acetonitrile and cyclohexane are immiscible (as you observed):
Solvent Miscibility Table
https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/DE/de/technical-documents/technical-article/analytical-chemistry/purification/solvent-miscibility-table
However, there are literature references about the photocatalytic oxidation of cyclohexane in which acetonitrile is employed as solvent. For example, please have a look at the following article:
Optimization of Cyclohexanol and Cyclohexanone Yield in the Photocatalytic Oxofunctionalization of Cyclohexane over Degussa P-25 under Visible Light
This paper has been published Open Access, so that it is freely available as public full text (please see attached pdf file). Perhaps there is no need to worry about the solubility issue. I suggest that you just go ahead with your experiment. Personally I'm not a proven expert in this field, but I assume that the reaction will work even if you have a two-phase system. It will certainly be helpful if you stir the mixture vigorously in order to get a finely divided emulsion.
Good luck with your experiment and best wishes, Frank Edelmann
Based on my own experience you can't get higher than 6-7% of c-hexane (or whatever alkanes) in CH3CN. In addition, about 1% of water in CH3CN significantly decreases the solubility. You can try propionitrile to slightly increase the solubility of c-hexane
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Nano