Liquid-Liquid Extraction Report

Lebanese University Faculty of Engineering
Branch 1
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB

Liquid-Liquid Extraction
Supervisor: Prof. Lisa Diab & Hiba Dayri

Group 2
Abdulrahman Makkawi, Ahmad Houry, Moussa Chaikho &

Nabil El Houssein
Table of Contents
1.0 Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ 1
2.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1
3.0 Materials and Methods ......................................................................................................................... 1
4.0 Results and Discussion ......................................................................................................................... 2
5.0 Safety and Disposal .............................................................................................................................. 2
6.0 Conclusion............................................................................................................................................. 2
7.0 Lab Questions ....................................................................................................................................... 3
i
1.0 Abstract
Decantation is a fundamental process in organic chemistry allowing the separation of two immiscible
liquid phases of different densities, in order to carry out a liquid-liquid extraction. In this
experiment, we learned about liquid-liquid extraction and the way it isolated a target compound from
a mixture. The objective was to identify a given solvent based on its density. Our results revealed the
location of the aqueous and the organic phases, highlighted the role of the separatory funnel and the
significance of solvent selection in achieving successful isolation of organic compounds and providing
valuable insights about applications of liquid-liquid extraction in organic synthesis and analytical
chemistry.
2.0 Introduction
Liquid-liquid extraction is a widely employed technique in organic chemistry for the separation and
purification of compounds based on their densities. Our focus is on understanding how this method
isolates target compounds, with a specific emphasis on identifying a given solvent based on its
respective density.
3.0 Materials and Methods

• Separatory funnel
• Beaker
• Stand
• Funnel
• Distilled water
• Unknown solvent (which we were tasked to identify)
A separatory funnel is a laboratory glassware designed for the separation
of immiscible liquids based on differences in their densities. It allows for
the controlled layering and extraction of two liquid phases.
Procedure:
1. Make sure that the stopcock of the separatory funnel is closed securely.
2. Transfer the organic solution into the separatory funnel.
3. Add 35 ml of distilled water to the separatory funnel.
4. Place the palm of your hand on the stopper and shake the separatory funnel permitting the
two solutions to distribute between the organic and the aqueous phases.
5. Place the separatory funnel in a stand, above a beaker, and open its stopcock to release the
denser phase first into a beaker and then release the remaining solution into another beaker.
1
Figure 1 Showing the procedure of liquid-liquid extraction.
4.0 Results and Discussion

While the two solutions were in the separatory funnel and before transferring them into two separate
beakers, the two solutions were distributed between the aqueous and the organic phases based on their
densities. We noticed that the aqueous solution (containing water) was at the bottom of the separatory
funnel while the organic solution containing the unknown chemical was at the top. This indicates that
water was denser than the unknown solution. It was stated that the two solutions are: Toluol of density
0.866 g/cm3 and Dichloromethane of density 1.33 g/cm 3 of which one is given to us. Therefore, the
unknown solution that was given to us is Toluol since its density is 0.866 g/cm3 which is less than that
of water which is 1 g/cm3.
5.0 Safety and Disposal

Caution must be taken in a chemical lab to avoid any type of injury. Glassware was cleaned, dried, and
put back.
6.0 Conclusion
The unknown solution was proven by its density to be Toluol.
2
7.0 Lab Questions
1. Where are the aqueous and the organic phases located?
They are located as separate layers within the separatory funnel. The organic phase, that
consists of an organic solvent (Toluol in our case) and is the less dense phase floats on top of
the denser phase, the aqueous one, due to their immiscibility (i.e. not readily mixed).
2. What is the goal of the separatory funnel?
The goal of the separatory funnel is the separation of immiscible liquids, liquid-liquid
extraction, density-based separation, and extraction of products.
3. How to choose a solvent extractor?
This depends on the nature of the sample, the type of the compound, and most importantly,
safety considerations. This means that a non-toxic solvent extractor is the best one.

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Lebanese University Faculty of Engineering

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB

Supervisor: Prof. Lisa Diab & Hiba Dayri

Abdulrahman Makkawi, Ahmad Houry, Moussa Chaikho &

3.0 Materials and Methods

4.0 Results and Discussion

5.0 Safety and Disposal

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