question_answer

Rectified spirit obtained by fermentation contains 4.5% of water. So in order to remove it, rectified spirit is mixed with suitable quantity of benzene and heated. Benzene helps because           [KCET 1987]

A)                 It is dehydrating agent and so removes water

B)                 It forms the lower layer which retains all the water so that alcohol can be distilled off

C)                 It forms an azeotropic mixture having high boiling point and thus allows the alcohol to distill over

D)                 It forms low boiling azeotropic mixtures which distill over, leaving behind pure alcohol which can then be distilled