When two immiscible solvents are mixed, two layers form. Liquid-liquid extractions commonly use organic solvents that are less dense than aqueous solutions, and therefore form the top layer. An important exception to this rule is chlorinated solvents, which are often more dense than aqueous solutions, and form the bottom layer. Suppose you were unsure which layer was which during your extraction. What simple method do think you could use to determine which of the two layers was the aqueous layer?

Question

Chemistry

Yoselin Boyd

2 July, 10:17

When two immiscible solvents are mixed, two layers form. Liquid-liquid extractions commonly use organic solvents that are less dense than aqueous solutions, and therefore form the top layer. An important exception to this rule is chlorinated solvents, which are often more dense than aqueous solutions, and form the bottom layer. Suppose you were unsure which layer was which during your extraction. What simple method do think you could use to determine which of the two layers was the aqueous layer?

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Luciano Pace · Answer 1

See the answer below.

Explanation:

There are several methods that can be used in this case.

One of such methods is to simply add a simple, water soluble salt such as sodium chloride into the mixture. Sodium chloride will dissolve in the aqueous later and the other layer can effectively be concluded to be the non-aqueous layer.