Chapter 5.4, Problem 4E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The method of removal of other components from nutmeg in the experiment of extraction of trimyristin needs to be explained.

Concept Introduction:

Solvent extraction method is also called as liquid-liquid extraction. It is the method that is used to separate compounds on the basis of their relative solubility in two different immiscible solvents.

Here, the immiscible solvents cannot get mixed up together therefore they make two separate layers. In the extraction of a solute from one liquid, another immiscible solvent must be used. Usually water is used with certain organic solvent as organic solvent and water are immiscible into each other. At equilibrium the ratio of concentration of solute is constant in each layer that can be represented by partition coefficient or distribution coefficient. It is the ratio of the concentration of a substance in one medium (C₁) to the concentration in a second medium (C₂) at equilibrium.

  ${\text{K}}_{\text{d}}\text{ = }\frac{{\text{C}}_{\text{1}}}{{\text{C}}_{\text{2}}}$