Question

Describe the mistakes and the effect on the product: While attempting to extract the phenolic component, you mistakenly extracted the ether

solution with 1.5 M HCl rather than 1.5 M NaOH.

Answer 1

The mistake of using 1.5 M HCl instead of 1.5 M NaOH in the extraction of the phenolic component would have a significant effect on the product, resulting in a decreased yield and impure product.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mistake was extracting the ethersolution with 1.5 M HCl instead of 1.5 M NaOH while trying to extract the phenolic component. This mistake would have a significant effect on the product.

When ethersolution is extracted with HCl, the phenolic component would not be separated effectively. This is because phenols are unreactive towards HCl, while ethers are protonated and can form salts with HCl. As a result, the phenolic component would remain in the ether layer.

In contrast, when ethersolution is extracted with NaOH, phenols react with NaOH to form water-soluble sodium salts, which can be easily separated from the ether layer. Therefore, using HCl instead of NaOH would result in a decreased yield and impure product.