SOLVENT EXTRACTION

1. Definition of extraction
2. What is KD ? Definition
3. Factors that affect KD
4. What can be inferred from the magnitude
of the numerical value of KD ?
5. Calculations involving KD

10/26/2018 1
 1. What is Extraction?
• Extraction is a method of purification in
which a solute is preferentially extracted into
another immiscible phase.
• Requirement: Two immiscible solvents or phases
e.g.
• Hexane/water
• ether/water
• CCl4/water

10/26/2018 2
 2. Dynamic Equilibrium
• A solute will distribute itself between 2
immiscible phases , at a fixed temperature,
according to a dynamic equilibrium.

• Definition: KD is the equilibrium constant

for the distribution of a solute between 2
immiscible phases at a fixed temperature.
10/26/2018 3
 2. Equation for KD
• KD = Conc. of the solute in the organic phase
Conc. of the solute in the aqueous phase

• KD = Molarity of the solute in the organic phase

Molarity of the solute in the aqueous phase
Note: mmol can also be used

• KD = g/mL of the solute in the organic phase

g/mL of the solute in the aqueous phase
10/26/2018 4
 3. Factors that affect KD
Changing any one of the 4 parameters
listed below will alter the value of KD.
a) the type of organic solvent used; e g. CH2Cl2 vs. CCl4
b) the polar solvent used, water or methanol or ethanol
c) the nature of the solute , caffeine from tea or coffee
or capsaicin from hot peppers (p247, Brown)
d) the temperature the extraction is carried out at

Why do the above factors affect the value of KD?

10/26/2018 5
 KD is independent of :
i. The initial concentration of the solute in
the aqueous phase

ii. The volume of the aqueous phase used

iii. The volume of the organic phase used

Why is the value of KD independent of the
above factors?
10/26/2018 6
 4. What do the numerical values of KD tell
us?
If KD = 4, the solute is FOUR times more
soluble in the organic phase than the aqueous
phase.

If KD = 1, the solute has THE SAME

SOLUBILITY in the organic phase as the
aqueous phase.

If KD = 0.1 (1/10) the solute is TEN times

more soluble in the AQUEOUS phase than the
ORGANIC phase.
10/26/2018 7
 Why is the value of KD important?
The greater the value of KD:
• the more solute will be extracted during each
extraction step
• the more efficient the recovery of the solute

% Recovery = mass extracted/initial mass x 100

% Recovery = mmol extracted/initial mmol x 100

• The smaller the volume of organic solvent needed to

complete an extraction
10/26/2018 8
 Reading and Questions Assigned
from Fessenden, Fessenden & Feist
• Read pages 49 – 54
• Do questions 3.1-3-6 page 68
Chemically Active Extraction
Read pages 54-61, p62B, p63D, and p65E
Do questions 3.7 (d), (f), (g), & (h) and 3.9.

10/26/2018 9
 Calculation of KD from experimental data
Determination of KDfor Benzoic Acid between Dichloromethane, CH2Cl2, and H2O.
Summary of the results for a single extraction of an aqueous solution of Benzoic Acid*
with CH2Cl2.

Volume of benzoic acid solution: 50.00 mL

Molarity of benzoic acid solution:
Volume of CH2Cl2 = 10.0 ml
*Benzoic Acid is abbreviated as B.A.

10/26/2018 10
 Calculation of KD from experimental data
Determination of KDfor Benzoic Acid between Dichloromethane, CH2Cl2, and H2O.
Summary of the results for a 2 x 5.00 mL extraction of an aqueous solution of Benzoic Acid*
with CH2Cl2.

Volume of benzoic acid solution: 50.00 mL

Molarity of benzoic acid solution:
Volume of CH2Cl2 = 2 x 5.00 mL
*Benzoic Acid is abbreviated as B.A

10/26/2018 11