An unknown sample was given to me which had 2 compounds in it. The goal of the e

Question

An unknown sample was given to me which had 2 compounds in it. The goal of the experiment was to identify both compounds. The unknown that was given to me was a solid so I had to seperate both compounds using a seperatory funnel. Solids were formed in both the neutral and base samples. When it was time to recrystallize both of them, the neutral sample was recrystallized correctly however the solvent used for the base was wrong. I used ethanol instead of water, and when it was time to cool down the sample to recrystallize, no crystals were formed. So i added water to the sample and heated it to see if the solvent would evaporate and I could get back the base solid however it did not work. The sample at the moment contains the base solid, ethanol and excess water and it is cloudy, meaning that the solid is still in there. Is there any other way I could retreive the solid in the sample in order to try to recrystallize it again instead of evaporating it?

Explanation / Answer

you can try solvent extraction method where you extract your compound in diethyl ether. Take your mixture in a separatory funnel and add diethyl ether and add some NaCl (saturated brine solution). shake gently ( Caution: do not shake vigorously as diethyl ether has very high vapour pressure and may lead to an explosion if shaken vigorously). In this way, you will transfer your compound in the diethyl ether layer. Transfer this etheral layer in a porcelain dish followed by evaporation of the diethyl ether. After the evaporation of the diethyl ether, you will get your compound.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.