Q13 / 75 · JEE Main 2026 (02 April Shift 1) · Chemistry

Given below are two statements :
Statement (I) : 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane can be separated from water by simple distillation.
Statement (II) : An azeotropic mixture cannot be separated by fractional distillation.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :

  • A
    Both Statement I and Statement II are true
  • B
    Both Statement I and Statement II are false
  • C
    Statement I is true but Statement II is false
  • Correct answer
    D
    Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Solution

Statement I: $1,2,3$-Trihydroxypropane (glycerol) has a very high boiling point (around $290^{\circ}\text{C}$) and it decomposes at its boiling point under normal atmospheric pressure. Therefore, it cannot be separated from water by simple distillation. Instead, it is separated by distillation under reduced pressure (vacuum distillation). Hence, Statement I is false.

Statement II: An azeotropic mixture is a constant boiling mixture in which the liquid and vapour phases have the exact same composition. Because there is no change in composition upon boiling, the components of an azeotropic mixture cannot be separated by fractional distillation. Hence, Statement II is true.

Therefore, Statement I is false but Statement II is true.

Answer: Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.

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