You have prepared an organic compound by reacting it with strong ...

[vicky]

You have prepared an organic compound by reacting it with strong aqueous acid. The workup
  procedure calls for extraction of the compound into methylene chloride, then an extraction of
  the methylene chloride solution with 5 NaHCO3.
  (a) What is the purpose of the extraction with 5 NaHCO3?
  (b) What precautions should you take when you add the 5 NaHCO3 to the organic solution?

Question 2

A reaction workup for an aqueous reaction mixture calls for extraction with diethyl ether and
  then an extraction with saturated aqueous sodium chloride. What is the purpose of the saturated sodium chloride step?

[jliusyl]

Answer to Question 1

(a) The sodium bicarbonate serves to neutralize any residual acid.
(b) Carbon dioxide gas (CO2) will evolve when the solutions are mixed and build up pressure
in the separatory funnel. Be sure to vent frequently with the separatory funnel pointing
away from people.

Answer to Question 2

The saturated sodium chloride serves to pull water from the ether layer, thus drying it. It
also encourages all organic-soluble compounds to go to the organic layer.

[vicky]

Gracias!

[jackie]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it