Question

Discuss the principle behind Differential Extraction technique giving an example.

Answer 1

It is the process of separating an organic compound from its aqueous solution by shaking it with a suitable organic solvent. The solvent should be immiscible with water and the organic compound to be separated distributes itself between two non miscible solvents at a constant temperature in a definite ratio. Multiple extraction is more effective than a single step extraction. For ex., iodine can be extracted from its aqueous solution by differential extraction method using carbon tetrachloride. Iodine is more soluble in carbon tetrachloride than in water, and carbon tetrachloride and water are immiscible. As CCl_​4 is heavier it forms a lower layer.