Question

An ether solution of PhCO2H (A), PhNH2 (B), and PhCH3 (C) is extracted with aqueous NaOH. The ether layer will contain what compound(s) after the extraction?

Answer 1

The ether layer will contain aniline and toluene after the extraction.

Step-by-step explanation:

A solvent extraction is a method to separate compounds or metal complexes, based on their relative solubilities in two different immiscible liquids, usually water and an organic solvent (Ether, in this case).

PhCO₂H (Benzoic acid) reacts with NaOH to form benzoate ion that is very soluble in water but poorly soluble in ether. That means PhCO₂H will be in the aqueous layer.

PhNH₂ (Aniline) is very soluble in organic solvents as ether but poorly soluble in water,

PhCH₃ (Toluene) is soluble in ether but insoluble in water.

That means the ether layer will contain aniline and toluene after the extraction.

I hope it helps!