Question

If 30 ml of water containing 15 mg of salicylate is extracted with 30 ml of chloroform, 2.59 mg of salicylate remains in the water layer. Assuming waterand chloroform are immiscible, and all salicylate is unionized, whatis the distribution coefficient (chloroform/water) of salicylate in the chloroform-water solvent system

Answer 1

Distribution coefficient: 4.79

Step-by-step explanation:

Distribution coefficient is the ratio between equilibrium concentration of non-aqueous phase and aqueous phase where both solvents are inmiscible. The equation for the problem is:

Distribution coefficient: Concentration in chloroform / Concentration in Water

Concentration in water: 2.59mg / 30mL = 0.08633mg/mL

Concentration in chloroform: (15mg-2.59mg) / 30mL = 0.4137mg/mL

Distribution coefficient: 0.4137mg/mL / 0.08633mg/mL

Distribution coefficient: 4.79