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Differential Extraction

Mediumchemistry

An organic compound dissolved in an aqueous layer is to be recovered using an immiscible organic solvent in a separating funnel; on what principle does this differential extraction depend?

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About This Question

Subject
chemistry
Chapter
purification and characterisation of organic compounds
Topic
differential extraction
Difficulty
Medium
Year
2025
Tags
differential extractionpartition lawimmiscible solventsseparating funneldistribution coefficient

Solution

Correct Answer:

The compound distributes preferentially into the solvent in which it is more soluble

Differential extraction, or solvent extraction, is used to recover an organic compound from an aqueous solution by shaking it with an immiscible organic solvent such as ether or chloroform in a separating funnel. The method depends on the fact that the compound distributes itself between the two immiscible layers according to its relative solubility, governed by the distribution (partition) law. The compound passes preferentially into the layer in which it is more soluble; since most organic compounds are more soluble in organic solvents than in water, they move into the organic layer, which is then separated and evaporated to recover the compound. The statement about reaction to form a salt is wrong because extraction is a physical partitioning process, not a chemical reaction. Identical densities with complete mixing is incorrect because the method requires two immiscible layers of different densities that separate cleanly. Oxidation by the solvent is not involved at all. Repeated extraction with small portions of solvent is more efficient than one large portion, a point emphasised in NCERT. Plausibility check: separation is possible only because the solute prefers one phase, consistent with the partition principle.

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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