The term "fractionating" refers to the process of separating a mixture of liquids or gases into different components or fractions based on their various boiling points. Synonyms for "fractionating" include "distilling" which is specifically used for removing impurities from a liquid by boiling and then condensing the vapors, "separating", "fractioning", "isolating", "partitioning" and "purifying". Fractionating is a common technique used in the chemical industry to separate complex mixtures into their constituent parts. The end result of this process is a more concentrated and pure form of the desired substance, which can be used in a variety of applications.