Nutmeg oil contains a triester with three identical R groups. This triester reacts with potassium hydroxide to form propane-1,2,3-triol and a potassium carboxylate salt.
The triester in nutmeg oil has a relative molecular mass, Mr=722.0M_r = 722.0Mr=722.0. In this triester, the R group represents an alkyl group that can be written as CH3(CH2)n\text{CH}_3(\text{CH}_2)_nCH3(CH2)n. Deduce the value of nnn in CH3(CH2)n\text{CH}_3(\text{CH}_2)_nCH3(CH2)n. Show your working.
A 1.500 g1.500\text{ g}1.500 g sample of nutmeg oil is heated with 0.420 g0.420\text{ g}0.420 g of KOH\text{KOH}KOH (Mr=56.1M_r=56.1Mr=56.1) in aqueous ethanol until all of the triester is hydrolysed. The mixture is cooled. The remaining KOH\text{KOH}KOH is neutralised by exactly 21.80 cm321.80\text{ cm}^321.80 cm3 of 0.125 mol dm−3 HCl0.125\text{ mol\,dm}^{-3}\ \text{HCl}0.125 moldm−3 HCl. Calculate the percentage by mass of the triester (Mr=722.0M_r=722.0Mr=722.0) in the nutmeg oil. Show your working.
Suggest why aqueous ethanol is a suitable solvent when heating the nutmeg oil with KOH\text{KOH}KOH. Give a safety precaution used when heating the mixture and justify your choice.
