HELP! Why is ether is so often used as an extraction solvent? And why can't alcohol be substituted?
hey you guys out there, i need help.please?thanks!
Answer:
First reason:
Ethyl alcohol is highly soluble with water.
Diethyl ether is sparingly soluble with water(6.9 g/100 ml).
Thus for separating inorganic-organic mixture is possible only with ether NOT alcohol.
Azeotrope formation of diethyl ether is lesser comparitively to ethyl alcohol.
Ethyl alcohol forms azeotropes with many organic compounds.
If you dont know azeotrope try this link :http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-901...
Second reason:
Diethyl ether is a more versatile solvent than alcohol in case of organic compounds, because of lesser polarity.
most important reason-ethanol is soluble in water. you will get no phase separation, you will be just adding ethanol to your mixture.
Ether is non-polar, non-soluble in water. since you want to remove something from the water, these are the properties you would expect from an extraction solvent. it is also not affected by acids/bases, which might be present in your aqueous solution.
Ether is water insoluble whereas alcohol is water soluble. When you want to extract from aqueous solution, ether is the solvent. But when you extract from plant material, alcohol can be used.
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Answer:
First reason:
Ethyl alcohol is highly soluble with water.
Diethyl ether is sparingly soluble with water(6.9 g/100 ml).
Thus for separating inorganic-organic mixture is possible only with ether NOT alcohol.
Azeotrope formation of diethyl ether is lesser comparitively to ethyl alcohol.
Ethyl alcohol forms azeotropes with many organic compounds.
If you dont know azeotrope try this link :http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-901...
Second reason:
Diethyl ether is a more versatile solvent than alcohol in case of organic compounds, because of lesser polarity.
most important reason-ethanol is soluble in water. you will get no phase separation, you will be just adding ethanol to your mixture.
Ether is non-polar, non-soluble in water. since you want to remove something from the water, these are the properties you would expect from an extraction solvent. it is also not affected by acids/bases, which might be present in your aqueous solution.
Ether is water insoluble whereas alcohol is water soluble. When you want to extract from aqueous solution, ether is the solvent. But when you extract from plant material, alcohol can be used.
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