View Slide Thumbnails		View Next Movie

3.5 MB, 56 seconds File: MOVIES/TRAM13/0423318.MOV

Voiceover
A few drops of hydrochloric acid are added to a separatory funnel containing an aqueous solution of the blue sodium salt of 2,6-dichloroindophenol and toluene. The less dense toluene is the top layer. The funnel is shaken and vented. The aqueous layer becomes clear and the toluene layer is red. A few drops of sodium hydroxide are then added. The blue 2,6-dichlorophenoxide anion is polar and water soluble. Red 2,6-dichlorophenol is nonpolar and soluble in the nonpolar solvent toluene. After shaking, the mixture is restored to its original state.

Discussion
An aqueous solution of the blue sodium salt of 2,6-dichloroindophenol is placed in a separatory funnel containing toluene. The less dense toluene is the top layer. A few drops of 2M HCl are added and the funnel shaken. The aqueous layer becomes clear and the toluene becomes red. A few drops of sodium hydroxide are then added and, after shaking, the mixture is restored to its original state. The blue 2,6-dichlorophenoxide anion is polar and water soluble. Red 2,6-dichlorophenol is nonpolar and soluble in the nonpolar solvent toluene. This is an example of the general rule for solubility - "like dissolves like".