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 :
Official answer: D
Statement I. Glycerol (b.p. 290 °C) decomposes near its boiling point, so it is purified by distillation under reduced pressure, not simple distillation: false.
Statement II. An azeotrope boils at constant composition (vapour has the same composition as the liquid), so fractional distillation cannot separate it: true.
(D)