An aqueo solution contains 2 solutes A&B.A is soluble in hexane and B is not.Hexane is liquid at room temperature and does not mix with water.The density of hexane at room temperature is 0.7g/dm3.Describe givig full practical details how you would produce a pure sample of solute A.

See answers above by Bob Pursley and DrBob222

To produce a pure sample of solute A from the aqueous solution containing solutes A and B, you can use the following procedure:

1. Start by preparing a separating funnel, which is a glass apparatus designed for liquid-liquid extractions.

2. Carefully transfer the aqueous solution containing solutes A and B into the separating funnel. Make sure to avoid any spillage or contamination.

3. Add a suitable organic solvent that can dissolve solute A but not solute B. In this case, since solute A is soluble in hexane and solute B is not, add hexane to the separating funnel.

4. Close the separating funnel tightly and gently shake it for a few minutes to ensure proper mixing of the aqueous solution and hexane. This will allow the solute A to dissolve in the hexane phase.

5. Allow the mixture to settle, giving enough time for the two liquid phases to separate due to their immiscibility (inability to mix). The hexane, being less dense than water, will rise to the top, forming a distinct layer.

6. Once the two phases have completely separated, carefully open the stopcock or tap at the bottom of the separating funnel to drain off the aqueous phase (containing solute B). Dispose of this solution appropriately.

7. Transfer the hexane phase, which should now contain solute A, into a clean and dry container, such as a beaker or an evaporating dish.

8. Separate the hexane from solute A by evaporating the hexane. You can achieve this by placing the container containing the hexane solution in a fume hood or a well-ventilated area. Hexane has a low boiling point (around 69°C), so it will evaporate relatively easily at room temperature.

9. Ensure that the area is well-ventilated to prevent the buildup of hexane vapors. You can use a fume hood or direct a gentle stream of air over the container using a fan.

10. As the hexane evaporates, solute A should remain behind as a solid residue or crystallize on the walls of the container.

11. Once all the hexane has evaporated and you are left with solute A, you can scrape the solid residue from the container using a clean spatula or scraper. Ensure that you collect all the residue to obtain a pure sample of solute A.

12. Transfer the collected solute A into a labeled vial or container for proper storage and future use.

By following these steps, you will be able to produce a pure sample of solute A by extracting it from the aqueous solution and evaporating the organic solvent (hexane) used for extraction.