Nicolas Rey Ospina Section: 01

Lab instructor: Dr David Quesnel 2021-01-29

Prelab experiment 4 Extraction: A Separation and Isolation Technique

1. What are the important criteria one has to consider in selecting a solvent for extraction?

An important criteria is that the solvent used in the extraction the solvent must dissolve the
substance being extracted and be sparingly soluble in the substance that is being extracted
from.

2. A mixture of a carboxylic acid and a phenol can often be separated by extracting with aqueous
sodium, bicarbonate, and a suitable organic solvent. What difference in the chemical properties
of the carboxylic acid and the phenol make this separation possible?

The main differences is that Phenol remains in the aqueous layer and the salt formed with carboxylic
acid dissolves in the aqueous layer.

3. What safety precautions should one take when using chlorinated solvents for extraction?

The lab should be well ventilated, there should be no flames, and gloves should be worn.

4. What is the practical advantage of using dichloromethane (density = 1.325 g/mL) over diethyl ether

(density = 0.706 g/mL) for extracting organic compounds from an aqueous solution using a separatory

funnel?

Because dichloromethane is denser than water, it can be drained off of the aqueous layer allowing a
second layer of solvent to be used in the next extraction. This reduces the product lost in the transfer
between containers.