Separating Mixtures on the Basis of Solubility

Use flameless methods to remove the diethyl ether from solutes in this procedure. 

Preparation Sign in at www.cengage.com/login to read the MSDSs for the chemi-cais used or produced in this procedure. 

Extract ether solution 1 with two 5-mL portions of 1.5 MNaOH solution to remove a phenol or any other weak acid from the solution and to give ether solution 2. Acidify the combined aqueous extracts, water solution 2. with 12 M hydrochloric acid, and extract the regenerated weak acid with several 5-mL portions of ether to yield ether solution 4. If amphoteric compounds were included in the unknown mixture, they would be carried through to the water layer separated from ether solution 4. Dry this solution and remove the ether from it as already described, and isolate the weak acid that remains as the residue. 

Add sufficient 5 M NaOH solution to water solution 3 to make the solution strongly basic then extract it with several 5-mL portions of diethyl ether. The combined ether extracts, ether solution 5. should contain any organic base present in the original unknown mixture isolate the base by drying the solution and removing the ether as described previously. 

Transfer any recovered diethyl ether in the container for nonhalogenated organic liquids. Neutralize all basic or acidic aqueous solutions and flush them down the drain. Place the filter paper containing any solids that were not soluble in diethyl ether in the container for nonhazardous solids. 

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