Question

Suppose you are performing an extraction procedure with a carboxylic acid, like a benzoic or toluic acid Which layer should contain the carboxylic acid in a two-layer mixture of water and an organic solvent, like diethyl ether? A. The organic layer B. The aqueous layer C. Neither layer

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is option A, that is, the organic layer.

Explanation:

One knows that non-polar solvent dissolves non-polar substances and the polar solvent dissolves polar substances, that is, like dissolved like. The toluic acid or benzoic acid refers to the carboxylic acids, which are non-polar or are very less polar in characteristics.  

Therefore, they possess the tendency to remain in the organic solvent, which is non-polar like diethyl ether. The toluic acid's or benzoic acid's non-polar characteristic is because of the existence of huge hydrophobic rings of benzene. Hence, the correct answer is option A, that is, the organic layer.