Post lab questions:

6. When a sample contains a high amount of surfactant-like compounds, emulsions can occur. These
surfactant-like molecules will have a mutual solubility between the aqueous and organic solvents which
results in the formation of an emulsion in the boundary between the two layers. Emulsions tend to be a
result of vigorous shaking of the separatory funnel.

There are possible ways to remove emulsions, although it is easier to prevent it. However, emulsions
may break after enough time.

The easiest way to prevent emulsion is to gently swirl the separatory funnel rather than shaking it. By
swirling the separatory funnel, the agitation that can cause the forming of emulsions is lessened.
Another method of disrupting emulsions is salting out. By adding brine or salt water, the ionic strength
of the aqueous layer increases, and this eases the separation of the two phases by forcing the
surfactant-like molecules to separate into one phase or the other. Emulsions can be isolated using phase
separation filter papers. Depending on the type of paper, these phase separation filter papers will allow
either the aqueous or organic phase to pass through and be isolated. Addition of small amount of a
different organic solvent can also break the emulsions since it can adjust the solvent properties of the
separation and this will result in the surfactant-like molecule being solubilized in either the aqueous or
organic layer.

8. To minimize the number of transfer steps, it would be better to use an organic solvent that is heavier
than water. If an organic solvent is heavier than water, the organic layer will lie below the water, and the
organic layer can be drained directly from a separatory funnel. If the organic solvent is lighter than
water, it will lie on top of it. If so, the water will need to be drained first, before the organic layer. The
aqueous layer needs to be returned to the funnel for the next extraction.

References: http://www.chromatographyonline.com/tips-troubleshooting-liquid-liquid-extractions