Question

What is an acid base extraction, and what properties of the corresponding salt compounds make this a useful technique?

Answer 1

The extraction of compounds based on the difference in their acid - base chemical properties, using sequential liquid-liquid extractions at a pH maintained to convert acid/base components of the mixture into salts is called acid base extraction. By this process the acid/base are extracted into aqueous phase and other organic compunds in a organic solvent phase like dichloromethane.

This technique relies on the property of salts formed, by acid base reaction, being ionic and thus more soluble in aqueous phase than organic phase. Thus the acid base components of the mixture are extracted into the aqueous phase whereas the organic components of the mixture being more soluble in organic phase like diethyl ether are extracted into the organic ether phase.

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