Question

An extraction system consisting of hexanes as the organic layer and water ias the aqueous layer s excellent for separating a carboxylic acid from benzaldehyde.

Answer 1

both carboxylic acid and benzaldehyde soluble in organic solvent hexane . to this mixture add NaOH solution . now we get to layers 1 ) organic layer which contain benzaldehyde. 2) aqueous layer which contain benzoic acid. these two layers can be seperated by using separting funnel.

now take aquesous layer treat with dil HCl benzoic acid is recovered and seperated .

organic layer only contain benzladehyde . beznaldehyde and hexane can be sepated by fractional distilllation

aquesous layer reactions

C6H5COOH + NaOH -----------------> C6H5COONa + H2O

C6H5COONa + HCl ----------------C6H5COOH + NaOH