Question

1. What is the practical advantage of having the organic solvent be denser than water when one is extracting an organic compound from an aqueous solution in a separatory funnel?

Answer 1

Following is the - complete Answer -&- Explanation: for the given: Question: in....typed format...

$\Rightarrow$Answer:

The main advantage is that, two separate layers of solvent form, which allows, for a more efficient separation of layers of solvent, and thereby , more efficient extraction, of the organic compound.

$\Rightarrow$Explanation:

Actually, if the organic solvent, and water, forms an aqueous solution, and then the organic solute/ organic compound , is mixed in the solution, then, there is a chance of the organic compound, getting partially dissolved in both water and organic solvent. Let's assume, that the organic solute: is more dissolved in the phase: organic solvent, than water. Then, if the organic solvent, is denser, than water, and both are mixed, two distinct layers, of solvents, will form, with, organic solvent phase having more organic solute: dissolved, in it than that of water.

Since: the organic solvent, is more dense, than, that of water, in a separatory funnel: Water, and the Organic Solvent, can more easily be separated out, since they form distinct layers of liquid: in the solution. Thus, this will help, in the extraction of organic solute, which is more soluble: in the organic solvent, as the organic solvent, will easily separate out, from the aqueous solution.