Extraction of an acid with a base using a separatory funnel is demonstrated. In this step, aqueous base is added and the result noted.
Water and diethyl ether are shaken in a separatory funnel with a small amount of red indophenol. The non-ionic indophenol remains in the ether layer, coloring it red. Addition of sodium hydroxide converts the indophenol to its blue ionic acid anion which is extracted into the water layer turning it blue. Neutralization of the acid anion and excess sodium hydroxide with hydrochloric acid converts the acid anion back into the non-ionic red form which is extracted back into the ether layer.
Credits:
- Design and Demonstration
- George Gilbert Denison University, Granville, OH 43023
- Video
- Jerrold J. Jacobsen University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Text
- George Gilbert Denison University, Granville, OH 43023
- Kelly Houston Jetzer University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- David Phillips Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN 47933