The solutes in an aqueous reaction mixture are separated by extraction. The function of the nonpolar organic solvent is to:

Question

The solutes in an aqueous reaction mixture are separated by extraction.  The function of the nonpolar organic solvent is to:

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11ecba2d_12b4_b546_a3bf_83466b4dfc18_MD0008_00 Extraction is a technique used to separate molecules based on their solubility. It relies on the principle that "like dissolves like", meaning that molecules will dissolve in a solvent of the same polarity (ie, nonpolar molecules will dissolve in nonpolar solvents and polar molecules will dissolve in polar solvents). If the initial reaction mixture contains hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules in an aqueous (polar) solution, a nonpolar organic solvent is added to the aqueous solution in a separatory funnel for an extraction. The separatory funnel is shaken, and the funnel is vented to release pressure. The organic and aqueous layers are immiscible (meaning they do not mix) so after shaking, the layers separate based on their densities. Hydrophilic ("water-loving") molecules are polar and will remain in the aqueous layer. Hydrophobic ("water-fearing") molecules are nonpolar and will dissolve better in the organic layer. Therefore, a nonpolar organic solvent is used in an extraction to remove the hydrophobic molecules from the polar aqueous layer while the hydrophilic molecules remain in the aqueous layer. (Choice A) Hydrophilic molecules are polar and will stay in the polar aqueous layer rather than go into the nonpolar organic layer. (Choice B) The components of the reaction mixture are already combined before the extraction. An extraction is done to separate molecules rather than combine them. (Choice C) Addition of an organic solvent to the aqueous layer will increase the volume, but this is not the purpose of the organic solvent. Educational objective: Extraction is a technique used to separate molecules based on their solubility in aqueous (polar) or organic (nonpolar) phases. The mixture components will dissolve in a solvent of the same polarity ("like dissolves like"). Hydrophobic (nonpolar) molecules will dissolve in a nonpolar organic solvent, and hydrophilic (polar) molecules will dissolve in an aqueous solution.

The Solutes in an Aqueous Reaction Mixture Are Separated by Extraction