Question

If dichloromethane (DCM) and water \[\left( {{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O}}} \right)\] are used for differential extraction which one of the following statements is correct?
A.DCM and \[{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O}}\] would stay as lower and upper layer respectively in the S.F
B. DCM and \[{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O}}\] will be miscible clearly
C. DCM and \[{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O}}\] would stay as upper and lower layer respectively in the separating funnel (S.F.)
D. DCM and will make turbid/colloidal mixture.

Answer 1

Hint:Differential extraction is a separation method where we use a separating funnel. The separating funnel divides a mixture or solution two two parts. One is the upper layer and the other is the lower layer. The upper layer is occupied by a less dense substance and the lower layer by the more dense substance.

Complete step by step answer:
We know that the alkyl halides are all insoluble in water and they are less than that of the water molecule. Here, the density of DCM is higher than that of the water molecule. So, when we take a mixture of DCM and \[{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O}}\] in a separating funnel, the compound which is more dense with stay in the lower layer and the compound which is more dense will stay in the layer above. Hence, we can say that in the separating funnel, DCM would stay is lower layer and \[{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O}}\] would stay is the upper layer respectively.
Therefore, out of the given options, A is the correct option. B, C and D are incorrect options.

Additional information:
The chemical formula of dichloromethane is \[{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}\]. Dichloromethane is a colourless liquid and it has a sweet smell and is a volatile liquid hydrocarbon. Density of this compound is \[{\text{1}}{\text{.3266}}\,{\text{g/c}}{{\text{m}}^{\text{3}}}\]. The melting point of this compound is \[ - 96.7^\circ {\text{C}}\] and the boiling point of this compound is $39.6^oC$.
Dichloromethane is a type of geminal organic compound and this compound is also referred to as Methylene chloride or as Methylene dichloride. We can obtain dichloromethane naturally from various sources such as volcanoes, macro algae, wetlands etc.

Note: There are various separation methods of chemicals or chemical mixtures known to us. These methods include simple distillation, fractional distillation chromatography, evaporation, filtration, centrifugation etc.