Answer to Question #179565 in Organic Chemistry for Calypso

Question

Benzoic acid is 9 times more soluble in chloroform than in water. The percent benzoic acid that will remain in the water solution of benzoic acid after 2 extractions is?

Stage 1: If twice as much chloroform as water is used on stage 1

Stage 2: Then as much chloroform as water is used on stage 2

Fresh chloroform is used in each stage.

Answer 1

Benzoic acid has low solubility in room-temperature water because the bulk of the molecule is non-polar.