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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: SheffieldWednesday4ever on September 15, 2009, 07:56:13 PM

Title: solubilty of para-nitrophenol and naphthylene
Post by: SheffieldWednesday4ever on September 15, 2009, 07:56:13 PM

Hei everyone,
I am new but I was wondering if anyone could help me with this problem

I need a way to separate a mixture of para-nitrophenol and naphthylene by exploiting their different solubilities.

Thanks

Title: Re: solubilty of para-nitrophenol and naphthylene
Post by: Borek on September 16, 2009, 02:40:32 AM

You have to show your attempts to receive help. This is a forum policy.

Check what ARE their solubilities in diffrent pHs and in different solvents.

Title: Re: solubilty of para-nitrophenol and naphthylene
Post by: SheffieldWednesday4ever on September 16, 2009, 07:24:44 PM

Okay sorry. I've read the rules now.

Based on my question, it tries to get me to consider the functional groups of the two molecules. I understand that the P-nitrophenol is very acidic because the NO2 is a strong electron withdrawing group to make the Oxygen less negative. Therefore, the hydrogen wants to leave. So if I added say, an aqueous solution of Na-OH, the p-nitrophenol would be de-protonated and the phenol would be dissolved in the water.

But for the naphthylene, there seems to be many ether groups. So if I mix a solution of ether with a solution of Na-OH, would the two compounds be separated? Or is there a better/right way?

Thanks again