Question

To separate a mixture of p-toluidine and p-nitrotoluene dissolved in ether:

a. extract the ether solution with aqueous HCl and treat the water layer with aqueous NaOH.
b. extract the ether solution with aqueous NaOH and treat the water layer with aqueous HCl.
c. extract the ether solution with water and treat the water layer with aqueous NaOH.
d. extract the ether layer with aqueous HCl and treat the ether layer with aqueous NaOH.
e. extract the ether solution with aqueous HCl and treat the ether layer with aqueous HCl.

Answer 1

extract the ether solution with aqueous HCl and treat the water layer with aqueous NaOH.

Step-by-step explanation:

p-toluidine is a basic compound, it can react with aqueous HCl to form p-Toluidine hydrochloride and is recovered subsequently.

An alkali such as NaOH can be used to recover the p-toluidine. The neutral compound, p-nitrotoluene, will remain in the ether layer and can be recovered by evaporating the solution.