1. If you became confused and did not know whether a flask contains an aqueous layer or an organic layer, how would you find out which it is?
2. Write a balanced reaction for the reaction of Aspirin is precipitated from the basic aqueous solution by the addition of HCl.
3. Extractions often use methylene chloride or diethyl ether as an organic solvent. Why is ethanol not appropriate fro the organic solvent?
1. Add water and observe to which layer it adds.
2. I can't draw that on this forum. Look at the formula, replace the -COOH group with -COONa and that will be the sodium salt. Start with that,add HCl. The product is aspirin + NaCl.
3. Because ethanol and water are miscible in all proportions. For extraction you must have an aqueous layer and a non-aqueous layer and the non-aq layer must not be soluble in water; i.e., you want two layers.
1. To determine whether a flask contains an aqueous layer or an organic layer, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Observe the color and consistency of the liquid in the flask. Aqueous layers usually appear transparent, while organic layers may have a different color, such as yellow or brownish.
Step 2: Perform a simple water test. Add a few drops of water to the liquid in the flask and observe the reaction. If the liquid is aqueous, it will mix with the added water and create a homogeneous solution. If it is an organic layer, the water drops will form a separate layer or bead up on the surface.
Step 3: Perform a solvent miscibility test. Add a few drops of a known organic solvent, such as methylene chloride or diethyl ether, to the liquid in the flask and observe if they mix or separate into two distinct layers. If they mix together, the liquid is likely aqueous. If they form separate layers, it suggests the presence of an organic layer.
By following these steps, you can determine whether the flask contains an aqueous layer or an organic layer.
2. The balanced reaction for the precipitation of Aspirin from a basic aqueous solution by the addition of HCl can be represented as follows:
C9H8O4 + HCl → C9H7ClO4 + H2O
In this reaction, Aspirin (C9H8O4) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form Acetylsalicylic acid (C9H7ClO4) and water (H2O). The reaction needs to be balanced in terms of the number of atoms on both sides of the equation.
3. Ethanol is not an appropriate organic solvent for extraction processes in certain cases for several reasons:
Solubility: Ethanol is highly soluble in water, which makes it difficult to separate from aqueous solutions. It may lead to loss of the desired organic compound during the extraction process.
Density: Ethanol has a higher density compared to many organic solvents. This can cause difficulties in separating the organic layer from the aqueous layer since the heavier ethanol layer tends to stay at the bottom.
Boiling Point: The boiling point of ethanol (78.37°C) is relatively low compared to other organic solvents like methylene chloride or diethyl ether. This might result in excessive evaporation during the extraction process, leading to loss of the desired compound.
Toxicity: Ethanol is a commonly used and easily obtainable solvent, but it can be harmful if ingested or handled improperly. Methylene chloride and diethyl ether, though flammable, have lower toxicity risks when compared to ethanol.
Considering these factors, ethanol may not be the most suitable choice as an organic solvent for extractions, and alternative organic solvents like methylene chloride or diethyl ether are preferred.