What is liquid-liquid extraction?

Also known as solvent extraction

Separation of analytes from a liquid matrix by the use of another liquid
based upon selective partitioning.
Analytes are separated based on their different solubility in different
liquids.
Thus, the success of LLE depends upon the difference in solubility of an
analyte in various solvents.

How it works?

It consists of two solvents that do not mix (diff solubility)

o First solvent contains the analyte of interest
o Second solvent acts to extract the analyte
Since the two solvents do not mix, they can be separated in a separatory
funnel providing a very quick and easy way to separate compounds.

Solvent system

As mentioned earlier, Solvent system must comprise of two immiscible

solvents
Usually one phase is a water or water-based (aqueous) solution and the
other an immiscible organic solvent (often methylene chloride, diethyl
ether, or ethyl acetate).
o Most common solvent pairs are water-hexane, waterdichloromethane, water-ether
The analyte must be soluble in organic solvent but insoluble in water

Distribution

When an analyte is shaken in a separatory funnel with two immiscible

solvents, the analyte will distribute itself between the two solvents.
Distribution coefficient
o A quantitative measure of how an organic compound (analyte) will
distribute between aqueous and organic phases.
o K = distribution coefficient

g
)
100 mL
K=
g
solubility of water (
)
100 mL
solubility of organic(

o
o
Efficiency

It is the ratio of the concentration of solute distributed in the two

different solvent once the system reached equilibrium.
Distribution coefficient, K is independent of the actual amounts of
the two solvents mixed.