Leaching vs Extraction

The difference between leaching and extraction can be explained in terms of the chemical
principles used in these two processes. Both leaching and extraction refer to the isolation of one
or several compounds from a mixture that they are originally present in. When a solid mixture is
brought in contact with a solvent in order to separate the components that are soluble, the process
is called leaching. When compounds in a mixture, in one chemical phase, are being separated out
to another, it is referred to as extraction.

What is Leaching?
Leaching is a process to separate the components from a solid mixture by bringing that
mixture in contact with a liquid solvent in which these components are soluble. There are three
important factors that are required for leaching to occur. They are a compound mixture, a
solute, and a solvent. When a liquid or solvent is applied or brought in contact with a compound
mixture, the components which are soluble in the solvent starts to dissolve while other
components remain in a slurry. These components that dissolve are called ‘solutes.’ Therefore,
upon the application of the solvent in excess, the solutes can be removed from the initial
compound mixture. Even though it is expected only for the solutes to be present in the solvent, it
only happens under ideal conditions. Therefore, the solvent usually contains other impurities
from the slurry. Leaching is a type of ‘solid-liquid’ extraction.

This method is commonly used in industries when solid materials are to be separated from a
solid mixture. Some common examples include separation of sugar from sugar beet with hot
water, separation of metal from metal ore using acid, etc. In nature, it is through leaching that
heavy metals and other soil contaminants enter the ground water ways.
Iron leaching

What is Extraction?
Extraction is also a process to separate components from a compound mixture, but here,
the compounds in one chemical phase are being separated out to another phase. Usually
extraction takes place between two immiscible solvents, which is explicitly known as
‘solvent-solvent’ extraction. A compound mixture can be separated into components among
two immiscible solvents depending on the affinities of the various components to each solvent
used. The affinity mentioned above is usually due to the polarity of the compounds and the
respective solvents. Some common solvent systems used are water: ethyl acetate, water:
methylene chloride, water/methanol mixture: methylene chloride, water/methanol mixture: ethyl
acetate, etc.

This technique is often used under technical chemical laboratory conditions where organic
compounds are generated or which, as a part of a mixture, needs to be separated out. Hence,
extraction into organic solvents are performed. The process of extraction of a given compound in
one phase to another phase is governed by the “Partition Theory.” Once a compound or several
compounds have been separated out from their initial mixture into a second solvent, the
compounds can be isolated through the evaporation of the excess solvent. An instrument called
the ‘rotary evaporator’ is used for this purpose.

There are also other types of extraction such as solid phase extraction. Some modern variations
include super critical carbon dioxide extraction, ultrasonic extraction, microwave-assisted
extraction, etc.
What is the difference between Leaching and Extraction?
• Definition of Leaching and Extraction:

• Leaching is the process where a solid material in a mixture is separated out by dissolving it in a
suitable solvent.

• In extraction, a given compound is separated from one chemical phase to another due to the
polarity differences.

• Chemical Principle:

• Leaching occurs via a concentration gradient for soluble components.

• Extraction is governed by the Partition theory.

• Application:
• Leaching, which is simpler in approach, is commonly applied at industrial scale.

• Extraction is often used in laboratory level.