In a distillation setup, what is the "distillate"?

The distillate refers to the vapor that condenses during the distillation process. When a mixture is heated, the component with the lower boiling point vaporizes first. This vapor then travels through the distillation apparatus and cools down in the condenser, turning back into a liquid. This liquid collected is termed the distillate.

This process is fundamental in separating and purifying components of a mixture based on their boiling points. The efficiency of distillation relies on the ability to selectively vaporize and then condense the desired components, making the distillate a crucial part of this technique. Understanding the role of the distillate clarifies why it is the key focus in distillation setups, providing insights into the effectiveness of separation methods used in organic chemistry laboratories.