Consider the extraction of a weak organic acid using an ether/10% NaOH-water liq

Question

Consider the extraction of a weak organic acid using an ether/10% NaOH-water liquid combination. (a) write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction that occurs between the acid and NaOH (b) explain why the organic compound ends up in the 10% NaOH-water layer (c) will the 10% NaOH-water be the top or bottom layer in the funnel?

Explanation / Answer

a) HA + NaOH ---> NaA + H2O , HA is weak acid b) since compound is acidic it dissolves in NaOH and water to form H+ and A- ions. Ions get dissolved in aqueos NaOh solution and become stable. This is not possible in ether solution c) 10 % NaOH-water will be on bottom since it is more denser than ether solution

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