Question

During the reaction of 2-methyl-2-butanol with the nucleophile-solvent mixture two layers are formed after shaking the reaction for 5 minutes. After removing the aqueous layer with a Pasteur pipette the organic layer is diluted with 1 mL dichloromethane. The organic phase is washed with 1 mL water. Two layers are obtained.

a. Top layer is Aqueous (H20/ H2SO4/NH4CI)
b. Top layer is Organic (CH2Cl2 and product)
c. Bottom layer is Organic (CH2Cl and product)
d. Top layer is Aqueous (H20)

Answer 1

Top layer is Organic (CH2Cl2 and product)

Step-by-step explanation:

In a solvent mixture, there are usually two phases, the organic phase and the aqueous phase.

It is usual that the organic phase is almost always less dense than the aqueous phase hence the organic phase tend to remain on top of the aqueous phase.

Hence, the top layer is expected to be the organic CH2Cl2 and product.