DISTRIBUTION OF A SOLUTE BETWEEN IMMISCIBLE

SOLVENTS
Ceniza E. A.*, Colonia J. L.*, Galarpe C.*, Rivas N. M.*, Sunga J. L.*

*Department of Chemical Engineering, Cebu Institute of Technology – University

Cebu City Philippines

Date Submitted: Oct.4,2010

I. INTRODUCTION

If a solute is introduced into any two phase system which may be gas/solid, gas/liquid,
liquid/liquid or liquid/solid, it will become distributed between the two phases.

K=CA, aqCA, org

(1) aaqaorg=K

Equation 1 is a mathematical statement of the Nernst Distribution Law, which states that
a substance will distribute itself between two solvents until at equilibrium. The ratio of
the activities of the substance in the two layers is constant at any given temperature.
When the solutions are dilute, or when the solute behaves ideally, the activity is
essentially equal to concentration C. [1]

The ratio of the concentration, of the substance A in the organic phase, CA, org, and aqueous
phase, CA, aq, at equilibrium gives the distribution coefficient K.

(2) K=CA, aqCA, org

. K depends on the nature of the solute and the liquids involved.

Temperature is another factor affecting the nature of this constant and so is the manner in
which the constant is written CACB orCBCA.
The distribution law is valid only when the solute undergoes no change such as
dissociation or association. This limitation to the applicability of the distribution law was
pointed out in the conjunction with the use of Henry’s law for gases. Distribution
coefficients vary with temperature.
When a substance distributes itself between two solvents without the complication of
association, dissociation, or reaction with the solvent it is possible to calculate the weight
of the substance which can be removed in a series of extractions. Suppose a solution
contains x grams of a substance in V cc of solution and suppose that this solution is
shaken repeatedly with v cc samples of pure immiscible second solvent until distribution
equilibrium is attained. At the end of n extractions the weight xn of solute remaining
unextracted will be

(3) xn = xoKVKV+vn

Here K=C1C2, when K is known equation 3 may be used to estimate the number of
extraction necessary to reduce x to some given value xn. Another important assumption
that can be made from equation 3 is that if a given volume V of a solvent is available for
extraction, greater extracting efficiency can be obtained if this volume is utilized in a
number of separate extractions that if it were all used once. Hence, it is better to extract
with small volumes of solvent several times than once with a large volume.

I. APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

Quantity Description Articles Chemicals

1 50 ml Burette Phenolphthalein
10 250 ml Beaker 75 ml Benzene
3 250 ml Erlenmeyer Flask 30 ml CH3COOH
2 10 ml Pipette 5g NaOH
3 100 ml Graduated Cylinder 600 ml Distilled Water
1 10 ml Graduated Cylinder
3 100 ml Separatory Funnel
1 Aspirator
1 Iron Clamp
1 Iron Stand
1 Test Tube Brush
1 Dropper

II. PROCEDURE

One hundred milliliters each of approximately 0.50, 1, and 2N solutions of acetic

acid in water were prepared. One hundred milliliters of 0.5 N sodium hydroxide was
prepared to be used as titrant. Twenty-five milliliters of each of the three acetic acid
solutions were pipetted into closed separatory funnels. Twenty-five milliliters of benzene
was added to each. The solutions were allowed to stand at room temperature for 20
minutes, with frequent shaking.
After the solutions have come to equilibrium, 10 ml sample was pipetted out from
the upper layers into separate Erlenmeyer flasks. Another 10 ml sample was drained from
the lower layers into separate Erlenmeyer flasks. The samples were then titrated with 0.5
N sodium hydroxide solution.

RESULTS

Table 1
Solution Volume of Sample Volume of NaOH Concentration Distribution
(ml) used of HAc Coefficient
(ml)
(ml)
UPPER LOWER UPPER LOWER UPPER LOWER K
0.5N HAc 10 10 0.2 6.4 0.01 0.32 32.00
+ benzene
1N HAc + 10 10 0.4 13 0.02 0.65 32.5
benzene

2N HAc 10 10 0.6 20 0.03 1.00 33.33

+ benzene

Table 1.1 shows the concentration of acetic acid in the upper and lower layers after
titrating with 0.5N NaOH. The Distribution coefficient K at different concentration of
acetic acid mixed with benzene is almost the same.

Fig.1 Distribution Coefficient vs Concentration

Figure 1 shows a straight line which signifies that the distribution contant values are
almost the same.

III. ANALYSIS

From table 1.1 and Fig.1 it is shown that the values of the distribution constants
are near each other or almost the same. This can be justified by the Nernst distribution
law which states that a substance will distribute itself between two solvents until at
equilibrium and the ratio of the activities of the substance in two layers is constant at any
given temperature.[1]. Since the solutions are dilute the activities of the substance in the
two layers are essentially equal to their concentrations.[1] Thus equation 2 was used to
get the distribution coefficient. Since the distribution constant is a ratio it justifies that it
is almost the same in the three solutions regardless of their concentration or normality. It
could also be seen in table 1.1 that the concentration of the acetic acid is greater in the
lower layer which is water than in the upper layer which is benzene. Since acetic acid and
water are both polar and like dissolves like, it is justifiable that acetic acid naturally
dissolves more in the water layer.

IV. CONCLUSION

From the data collected it is safe to say that the acetic acid was distributed into the
two layers, water which the lower layer and benzene which is the upper layer, until at
equilibrium the ratio of the concentration of the acetic acid in the two layers is constant.
It is also safe to say that the equilibrium constant will not vary no matter the
concentration or normality of a substance.

V. REFERENCES

[1.] Maron, Samuel and Lando, Jerome. Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry. New York,
USA: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1951