Question

Explain why in order to extract all of the acid form of 2,6-dichloroindophenol out of the water layer, the solutions must be shaken together.

Answer 1

Shaking the solution will increase surface area of both layers:

organic + aqueous

Note that if would't shake this,

only the contact between the top layer vs bottom layers will interact

There will be a concentration gradient in which the higher concnetration of 2,6-dichloroindophenol will be present

Note also that this will be in equilbirium, due to the gradient

If we mix this, then we force interaciton between 2 phases

That is why we need to shake it, in order to favour extraction