Assignment of CHEM 546

(Natural Product
Chemistry Techniques) on the topic of Solvents used for Extraction
and their Physicochemical properties

Submitted To: Dr. Dildar Ahmed Alavi

Submitted By: Madiha Muhammad Yousaf

Class: M. Phil Chemistry ( Semester I )

Roll No: 253080133

Date: 23-10-2023

What is Extraction?
Extraction is a separation process consisting of the separation of a substance from a
matrix. The distribution of a solute between two phases is an equilibrium condition
described by partition theory. This is based on exactly how the analyte moves from
the initial solvent into the extracting solvent.

There are several types of extraction methods, such as liquid-liquid extraction (also
known as solvent extraction), solid-phase extraction, and supercritical fluid
extraction, among others. Each of these techniques relies on different principles
and is used for various purposes in chemistry, from purifying compounds to
isolating specific components from mixtures.

What is a Solvent?

A solvent is a substance that has the ability to dissolve, dilute, or disperse other
substances, known as solutes. Solvents are commonly used in various chemical
processes to create solutions, suspensions, or other mixtures. They play a crucial
role in processes such as dissolving, extracting, and diluting substances.

Key characteristics of solvents include:

Dissolving Power: Solvents have the ability to dissolve other substances, which
means they can break down the molecular or ionic bonds in solutes, allowing them
to mix uniformly with the solvent.

Versatility: Solvents can dissolve a wide range of solutes, including gases, liquids,
and solids. The choice of solvent depends on the nature of the solute and the
intended application.

Liquid State: Solvents are typically liquids at room temperature, although some
exceptions exist, such as liquefied gases used as solvents in specialized
applications.

Immiscibility: Some solvents do not mix with certain solutes or other solvents,
leading to immiscibility, which can be useful in processes like liquid-liquid
extraction.

Volatile: Many solvents are volatile, meaning they can easily evaporate into the air
at moderate temperatures, leaving behind the dissolved solutes.

Solvent-Solute Interaction: The nature of the interaction between a solvent and a

solute can vary depending on the solvent's chemical properties. Solvents can be
polar (e.g., water) or nonpolar (e.g., hexane), and this polarity affects their ability
to dissolve polar or nonpolar solutes.

Physicochemical Properties of a Solvent

The physicochemical properties of a solvent play a crucial role in the extraction of
natural products and some are discussed below in detail:

1. Polarity
The polarity of a solvent is a measure of the solvent's ability to dissolve
polar or ionic solutes. Solvent polarity is an important factor in determining
which solutes a solvent can effectively dissolve, and it plays a crucial role in
extraction. Solvent polarity is primarily determined by the solvent's
molecular structure and the distribution of electrical charge within the
molecules.
2. Dielectric constant
 The dielectric constant (ε) of a solvent is a measure of its polarity. The
higher ε means, the higher the polarity and greater the ability of the solvent
to stabilize the charge.
3. Viscosity
Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. In the context of
solvents, viscosity refers to how thick or thin a solvent is. It is an important
property because it can affect the ease with which a solvent can be handled
and its performance in various applications.
4. Surface tension
The surface tension of a solvent refers to the surface tension of a particular
liquid used as a solvent. Surface tension is a property associated with the
liquid itself, and it is determined by the cohesive forces between the
molecules of the solvent at its surface.
5. Acid-Base property
The acid-base properties of a solvent refer to its ability to act as an acid or a
base. An acid is a substance that can donate a proton (H+ ion), and a base is
a substance that can accept a proton. The ability of a solvent to act as an acid
or a base depends on its chemical nature and its interaction with other
substances dissolved in it.
6. Safety
The safety of a solvent refers to how safe it is to handle, use, and dispose of
in various applications without causing harm to human health, the
environment, or property.

Sr. Solvent Polarity Dielectric Viscosity Surface Acid- Safety

N Name (Dipole constant (room tension Base
o moment) (room temperature propert
temperature ) y
)
1 Methanol Polar 32.6 0.547 227 dynes Weakly It is toxic
molecule centipoise per acidic and
with centimete flammable
dipole r so use it
moment carefully.
1.69 D
2 Ethanol Polar 24.3 1.074 223 dynes Its It is safe to
molecule centipoise per weakly use.
with centimete acidic
dipole r
moment
24.3 D
3 Isopropyl Moderatel 18.3 2.4 220 dynes It is It is safe to
alcohol y polar centipoise per neutral use.
with centimete with
dipole r slightly
moment acidic
1.66 D nature
4 Propylen Polar 32 30 to 60 360 to It is Propylene
e glycol molecule centipoise 430 dynes neutral glycol is
with per generally
dipole centimete considered
moment r safe for use
2.76 D in various
applications
.
5 Glycerol Polar 42.5 1490 63.0 It is Glycerol is
molecule centipoise dynes per neutral generally
with cm recognized
dipole as safe
moment when used
2.04 D in
accordance
with
established
safety
guidelines.
6 n- Polar 17.8 3.8 29.0 It is n-Butanol is
Butanol molecule centipoise dynes per neutral generally
with cm safe for
dipole many
moment common
1.63 D industrial
and
laboratory
applications
7 Ethyl Polar 6.02 0.426 23.7 It is It is
acetatemolecule centipoise dynes per neutral generally
with cm considered
dipole safe
moment
1.78 D
8 n-Hexane It is a non- 1.89 0.294 18.4 It is It has some
polar centipoise dynes per neutral risks to
molecule cm handle but
with can be used
dipole safely under
moment precautions.
close to
zero.
9 Dichloro Polar 9.08 0.43 27.8 It is It is toxic
methane molecule centipoise dynes per neutral and
with cm flammable
dipole so use with
moment precautions.
1.60 D
10 Acetone Polar 20.7 0.29 23.2 It is Acetone is
molecule centipoise dynes per neutral generally
with cm considered
dipole safe for use
moment in a wide
2.88 D range of
applications
.
11 Diethyl Polar 4.34 0.224 17.7 It is It is
ether molecule centipoise dynes per neutral flammable
with cm and its
dipole vapors
moment when
1.15 D inhaled can
be harmful.