Essential oils are basically non-polar low chain terpenoid and non-terpenoid hydrocarbons which are responsible for its aroma. Thus we see that these are hydrocarbons and are non-polar in nature. Thus, when we do extraction of essential oils, we try to use some organic solvents in which the oil is soluble and after extraction, the solvent will be easy to evaporate so that the oil doesn't get degraded.
For this purpose, we have highly non-polar volatile solve methylene chloride or dichloromethane in which the oil is mixed well since it is non-polar and thus can be extracted easily and since the boiling point of methylene chloride is just 40 oC, thus it is really easy to get rid of it without degrading the oil.
Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 1 hours.