The experiment done was extracting caffeine from tea. -In the experiment that we

Question

The experiment done was extracting caffeine from tea.
-In the experiment that we did we first boiled water with sodiumcarbonate mixed in. Then added two teabags and allowed them toboil. The solution was cooled and dichloromethane was then added toit. Solution was allowed to set. it settled into two parts: clearliquid on bottom and same dark tea color liquid on top. Clear liqon bottom then removed and calcium chloride pellets added to theclear liquid. The clear liquid was evaporated and crystals ofcaffeine were only thing left in flask. What was purpose of sodiumcarbonate in beginning. Also why does solution separate when thedichloromethane was added and what was reason for calcum chloridepellets? The experiment done was extracting caffeine from tea.
-In the experiment that we did we first boiled water with sodiumcarbonate mixed in. Then added two teabags and allowed them toboil. The solution was cooled and dichloromethane was then added toit. Solution was allowed to set. it settled into two parts: clearliquid on bottom and same dark tea color liquid on top. Clear liqon bottom then removed and calcium chloride pellets added to theclear liquid. The clear liquid was evaporated and crystals ofcaffeine were only thing left in flask. What was purpose of sodiumcarbonate in beginning. Also why does solution separate when thedichloromethane was added and what was reason for calcum chloridepellets?

Explanation / Answer

Tea leaves contain tannins which are acidic and caffeine which isbasic to ensure that the acidic substances remain water soluble andcaffeine will be present as the free base sodium carbonate is addedto the extraction medium. Dichloromethane is added to extract caffeine from aqueoussolution. calcium chloride pellets are added to remove any moisture presentin organic dichloromethane extract. water and dichloromethane are immiscible liquids so they willseperate into two layers. hope this helps

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