Differential Extraction
A mixture contains benzoic acid and naphthalene dissolved in ether. Which reagent can selectively transfer benzoic acid into the aqueous layer during extraction?
Select the correct option:
Solution
Aqueous NaHCO3
Benzoic acid reacts with aqueous sodium bicarbonate to form sodium benzoate, which is ionic and water-soluble, so it moves to the aqueous phase. Naphthalene does not react and remains in the ether layer. This is the basis of acid-base differential extraction.
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More differential extraction Practice Questions
An organic compound dissolved in an aqueous layer is to be recovered using an immiscible organic sol...
An organic compound dissolved in an aqueous layer is to be recovered using an immiscible organic sol...
Differential extraction of organic compound from aqueous solution uses an organic solvent that is:
Differential extraction of organic compound from aqueous solution uses an organic solvent that is:
In differential extraction using separating funnel, the compound preferentially dissolves in:
In differential extraction using separating funnel, the compound preferentially dissolves in:
About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- purification and characterisation of organic compounds
- Topic
- differential extraction
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Aqueous NaHCO3
Benzoic acid reacts with aqueous sodium bicarbonate to form sodium benzoate, which is ionic and water-soluble, so it moves to the aqueous phase. Naphthalene does not react and remains in the ether layer. This is the basis of acid-base differential extraction.
This medium difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter purification and characterisation of organic compounds, covering the topic of differential extraction. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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