Question

An extraction procedure specifies that an aqueous solution containing dissolved organic material be extracted twice with 10 mL portions of diethyl ether. A student removes the lower layer after the first extraction and adds the second 10 mL portion of ether to the remaining upper layer. After shaking the separatory funnel, the student observes only one liquid phase with no interface. Explain.

Answer 1

Answer: The student observed only one liquid phase because The student removed the aqueous layer instead of the organic layer and then added organic solvent to more organic layer. Diethyl ether is less dense than water.

Explanation:

In organic chemistry, which is the chemistry of carbon atoms, liquid-liquid extraction techniques are used to separate solutes from its crude reaction mixtures. An example of liquid- liquid extraction technique used is the Separatory funnel.

The Separatory funnel extraction technique allows the separation of solutes based on their solubilities in two immiscible liquids. This appears as two phases or layers with the organic solvent on top while the aqueous solution is below the funnel. This is because the organic solvents are less dense than the aqueous solution.

From the question, the student had a dissolved organic compound in an aqueous solution and was given an organic solvent, diethyl ether for its extraction. When the first 10ml of ether was added, the dissolved organic compound mixed with it and remained in the top layer of the mixture. The student removes the lower layer after the first extraction and adds the second 10mL portion of ether to the upper layer remaining in the separatory funnel. After shaking the funnel, the student observes only one liquid phase with no interface because more organic solvent was added to the organic layer that remained after the aqueous layer was removed.