Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Extraction Technique

gravityzero - 2-2-2014 at 09:57

So after a reaction is complete, it is common to place the medium in a separatory funnel for extraction.

Usually a solvent is added to capture the intended material, sometimes it might be in the aqueous phase, just not in this example.

So in the case where solvent is being used for extraction, is it better to add more?
Sometimes when following research material, the amount of solvent added is specified, but most of the time I just eyeball it.

Could using too much solvent cause negative results?
In my opinion it would be better to error on the side of using a little too much solvent. Especially if solvent is freely available.

Comment and Suggestions welcomed.
Thanks All.

bfesser - 2-2-2014 at 10:01

It's usually better to extract multiple times with smaller aliquots of solvent than once with a larger volume (<a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=OiCFBn-9Z9wC&pg=PA114" target="_blank">ref.</a> <img src="../scipics/_ext.png" />;).

Fresh off my scanner:
Attachment: mohrig_2nd_ed.pdf (181kB)
This file has been downloaded 466 times

[Edited on 2.2.14 by bfesser]

gravityzero - 2-2-2014 at 10:08

So use several small amounts.
I would assume that if the solvent takes on a bit of color, then I should continue to extract until it stay more clear?