Top topic this week
Back to FAQs
Related FAQs
Frequently Asked Question
Questions asked by users might not always be phrased in the clearest way.
Why is my waterlayer opaque after LLE?
Accepted Answer
The opacity of your water layer after liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) is likely due to the presence of either dissolved substances or suspended particles.
Dissolved substances: If the solute extracted from the organic layer is soluble in water, it may cause the water layer to become cloudy or opaque. This is common with polar compounds or those that form emulsions.
Suspended particles: If the extraction process involved an emulsion or if there was incomplete separation of the layers, some of the organic phase may be suspended in the water layer. This will also cause opacity.
To determine the specific cause, you might consider:
1. Checking the solubility of the extracted solute in water.
2. Inspecting the water layer for any visible particles.
3. Observing if the opacity changes with time.
Articles you might like