Final answer:
Sodium sulfate is used as a drying agent to remove water from methylene chloride, an organic phase. A wash with additional methylene chloride ensures recovery of any organic compound adhering to the sodium sulfate, maximizing yield.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of sodium sulfate in the experimental procedure is to act as a drying agent. It is used to remove traces of water from the organic phase, in this case, methylene chloride. Sodium sulfate binds with water molecules, thus absorbing the moisture present in the solution. This process is important because water can interfere with subsequent analyses or reactions involving the organic substance.
After using sodium sulfate to dry the organic phase, it is customary to rinse the drying agent with an additional portion of methylene chloride to ensure that any remaining organic compound that is adhering to the surface of the sodium sulfate is recovered. This is known as a wash and is essential for maximizing the yield of the purified organic compound.