<P> Fractional distillation is the separation of a mixture into its component parts, or fractions . Chemical compounds are separated by heating them to a temperature at which one or more fractions of the compound will vaporize . It uses distillation to fractionate . Generally the component parts have boiling points that differ by less than 25 ° C from each other under a pressure of one atmosphere . If the difference in boiling points is greater than 25 ° C, a simple distillation is typically used . </P> <P> Fractional distillation in a laboratory makes use of common laboratory glassware and apparatuses, typically including a Bunsen burner, a round - bottomed flask and a condenser, as well as the single - purpose fractionating column . </P>

Fractional distillation is used to separate a mixture of