When doing an acid-base extraction, there are certain rules when chosing the solvent that is to be used in extraction.. one being that it should have a low boiling point. I understand this to be so that the solvent (in this case, ethyl) can be removed rapidly from the compound after extraction without problems.

Can someone further explain why the solvent needs to have a low boiling point? Like, why can't you use dimethylformamide which has a higher boiling point?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

When performing an acid-base extraction, the choice of solvent is essential as it directly affects the efficiency of the extraction process. The solvent should have certain characteristics, one of which is a low boiling point. Let me explain the reason behind this requirement.

During the extraction process, the solvent is used to selectively dissolve the target compound from a mixture. After dissolving the compound, the next step is to separate it from the solvent to obtain the pure product. This separation is usually achieved by evaporating the solvent.

Now, consider using a solvent with a high boiling point, such as dimethylformamide (DMF). DMF has a boiling point of around 154°C, significantly higher than room temperature. When the extraction is complete, and you want to remove the solvent, a high boiling point makes the evaporation process much more time-consuming and challenging.

Using a low boiling point solvent, like ethyl ether, with a boiling point of about 34.5°C, is advantageous because it can be easily and rapidly evaporated at room temperature or with minimal heating. This speeds up the solvent removal step, making the extraction process more efficient and saving time.

Additionally, using a low boiling point solvent reduces the risk of heat-sensitive compounds degrading during the evaporation process. Some compounds may react or decompose at high temperatures, leading to unwanted side reactions or loss of product.

In summary, the choice of a low boiling point solvent in acid-base extraction facilitates the rapid and efficient removal of the solvent after the extraction process while reducing the risk of compound degradation.