Question

Adding too much drying agent can cause a loss of _____ by its absorption on the drying agent.

A) Impurities
B) Catalysts
C) Solvent
D) Product

Answer 1

Adding an excessive amount of drying agent can result in the loss of product due to absorption, leading to a reduced yield of the desired compound.

Step-by-step explanation:

Adding too much drying agent to a mixture can cause a loss of product by its absorption on the drying agent. Drying agents are used in chemical processes to remove traces of water or other solvents from an organic solution. While they are effective at binding to the solvent molecules, they can also inadvertently absorb some of the product if used in excess. This can lead to a lower yield of the desired compound as some of the product becomes trapped within the drying agent's matrix and cannot be recovered easily. It is crucial to use an appropriate amount of drying agent to avoid such losses.