Chapter 22, Problem 34P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

A stepwise procedure with equations to show how to separate a mixture of $\text{9-aminofluorine}$ and fluorine in diethyl ether solution is to be written.

Concept Introduction:

Separation of the components of a mixture of organic compounds is based on the difference in their solubility in water and an organic solvent immiscible with water.

Advantage is taken of the difference in solubility of a basic (or acidic) compound and its conjugate base (or acid) in water.

Conjugate base of an acid or conjugate acid of a base are salts. Their ionic nature leads to a higher solubility in water as compared to a non-polar (or weakly polar) organic solvent. They are extracted into the aqueous phase containing an acid or a base from the solution of the mixture in a suitable organic solvent such as diethyl ether.

The base or the acid can then be recovered from the aqueous phase by neutralizing the conjugate acid (or base) with a strong base such as sodium hydroxide (or a strong acid such as hydrochloric acid). The recovered base (or acid) being insoluble separates out.

A neutral compound remains in ether solution (organic phase) from which it can be recovered by allowing ether to evaporate.