Sciencemadness Discussion Board

How do you wash propenylbenzene?

FriendlyFinger - 18-1-2006 at 19:40

How the hell do you wash propenylbenzene without massive emulsion problems? The benzene with 4X volume of DCM was washed with 10% NaHCO3, brine, dH2O. All results in bad emulsion.

Do you have to change solvent?

[Edited on 19-1-2006 by FriendlyFinger]

chochu3 - 18-1-2006 at 20:24

DCM and water if shaken real hard will always form an emulsion. One could let it sit and allow the emulsion to seperate.

FriendlyFinger - 18-1-2006 at 20:52

Well that's right, but it takes a very, very,very long time.

FriendlyFinger - 31-1-2006 at 01:04

That is, I mean, waiting for the emulsion from washing propenylbenzene takes a very long time. Clean DCM and H2O separates very quickly.

chochu3 - 31-1-2006 at 01:26

I'm not sure (do not remember) but I think one could add salt (NaCl) to help seperate the DCM from water instead of waiting.

NERV - 31-1-2006 at 07:53

Quote:
Originally posted by chochu3
I'm not sure (do not remember) but I think one could add salt (NaCl) to help seperate the DCM from water instead of waiting.


He mentioned the use of brine in his first post which is basically a concentrated salt solution. The only way it seems like this specific emulsion will go away is by waiting.