The most suitable method of separation of a mixture of ortho and para nitrophenol in the ratio `1:1` is :

Options

A. Chromatography
B. Crystallization
C. Steam distillation
D. Sublimation

Answer

C

Explanation

The o-and p-nitrophenols can be separate by steam distillation since o- isomer is steam volatile due to chelation (intramolecular `H`- bonding) while p-isomer is not steam volatile due to association of molecules by intermolecular `H-` bonding
Further, due to chelation, o-nitrophenol has lower mp, bp., lower acidic strength and lower solubility in water than p-nitrophenol.