Question

Each of the solvents listed below are commonly used in experiments to extract organic

compounds from aqueous solutions. Will the organic phase be the upper (top) or lower

(bottom) layer when each of these solvents is mixed with water? Explain your answer in each

case, using appropriate supporting data.

a) Ethyl acetate =

b) Hexane =

Answer 1

The density of water in purest form will be 1 gm/cm^3, the solvents which are more denser than water will settle at lowe layer and which are lighter than water will be going to float at the top layer

a) Ethyl Acetate has the density of 0.894 gm/cm^3 hence it will be present in the upper top layer

b) Hexane has the density of 0.652 gm/cm^3 hence it will also be present in the upper top layer

Any solvent which is more dense i,e, or greater density than water will be present in the lower bottom layer