Chemistry · Purification: Crystallization, sublimation, distillation, differential extraction and chromatography principles and their applications

The process of separation of an organic compound from its aqueous solution by sh

The process of separation of an organic compound from its aqueous solution by shaking with a suitable solvent is termed solvent extraction or differential extraction. The organic compound present in aqueous layer moves to the organic solvent because:

  • A. the organic substance is more soluble in the organic solvent
  • B. organic compound being lighter moves in the upper layer
  • C. organic solvent is insoluble in water hence organic compound moves up
  • D. from the supersaturated aqueous solution the solute starts diffusing

Step-by-step solution

In solvent extraction, the organic compound partitions between two immiscible solvents based on its relative solubility. The compound moves to the organic layer because it is more soluble in the organic solvent than in water, as described by the partition coefficient.
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