Isolation of Clove oil by liquid-liquid extraction using cyclohexane

What is the other name for liquid-liquid extraction?

solvent extraction

Key steps + observations in the procedure for the isolation of clove oil from an emulsion by liquid-liquid extraction using cyclohexane

• place the emulsion into a separating funnel with a small quantity of cyclohexane and shake, the cyclohexane will dissolve the clove oil without mixing with water

• the organic layer sits on top of the water, the aqueous and organic layers are collected separately in beakers

• place the aqueous layer back into the separating funnel, and wash the aqueous layer a further 2 times to maximise the amount of eugenol collected

• anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) is added to the organic solution, to remove any water that is present as it is a drying agent

• the mass of a clean dry conical flask is obtained, and the solution is filted to remove the hydrated magnesium sulfate

• fresh cyclohexane is added to remove traces of oil in the filter paper

• place the conical flask in a water bath and heat, this will remove the volatile cyclohexane

• the new mass of the conical flask is found and the difference is the mass of the clove oil

How does steam distillation extract oils from plants?

• the mixture of steam and oil distils below the boiling points of both water and oil

• too high a temperature would destroy the plant material

Why is cyclohexane heated in a water bath?

very flammable so should never be heated directly using a Bunsen burner

Describe the appearance of magnesium sulfate before + after it is added to water:

from a white powder to a white crystal