extraction

Schematic of a separatory funnel showing two immiscible liquids, where 1 is any phase less dense than 2. Phase 1 is typically an organic solvent and 2 an aqueous phase. Laboratory-scale liquid-liquid extraction. Photograph of a separatory funnel in a laboratory scale extraction of 2 immiscible liquids: liquids are a diethyl ether upper phase, and a lower aqueous phase. Schematic representation of a Soxhlet extractor: Stirrer bar Still pot (the still pot should not be overfilled and the volume of solvent in the still pot should be 3 to 4 times the volume of the Soxhlet chamber) Distillation path Thimble Solid Siphon top Siphon exit Expansion adapter Condenser Cooling water out Cooling water in

Extraction in chemistry is a separation process consisting of the separation of a substance from a matrix. The distribution of a solute between two phases is an equilibrium condition described by partition theory. This is based on exactly how the analyte moves from the initial solvent into the extracting solvent. The term washing may also be used to refer to an extraction in which impurities are extracted from the solvent containing the desired compound.