Question

1. Which of the following solvents: methanol CH3OH, diethyl ether CH3CH2OCH2CH3, dichloromethane CH2Cl2, pentane (C5H12) form upper (U) layers or lower (L) layers and which are miscible (M) or immiscible (I) with water during an extraction? explain

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Answer 1

Methanol is miscible (M) with water during extraction. Since, methanol is polar protic solvent.(water is also polar). Like dissolves like.

Diethyl ether, dichloromethane, pentane are immiscible (I) with water.

The solvent which is having less density when compared to water density, is in upper layer (U) during an extraction and which is having more density is in lowerl layer (L).

The solvents 'diethyl ether' and 'pentane' are less denser than water. Hence, during extraction, diethyl ether (U) ; pentane (U).

'dichloromethane' is more denser solvent than water and hence, during extraction, dichloromethane (L).