2. Apparatus and Technique

Get to know solvents used commonly:

Here is a list of commonly used extraction solvents. You can find the formula, density, b.p. and hazardous properties of each solvent.

Common extraction solvents

Name Formula

Density¹
(g / mL)
bp
(^oC) Comments

LIGHTER THAN WATER:

diethyl ether (CH₃CH₂)₂O
0.7 35 highly flammable, toxic

petroleum ether -
~0.7 30 - 60 flammable

hexanes -
~0.7 >60 flammable

benzene C₆H₆
0.9 80 flammable, toxic, carcinogenic

toluene C₆H₅CH₃
0.9 111 flammable

ethyl acetate C₄H₈O₂
0.9 78 flammable, irritant

HEAVIER THAN WATER:

methylene chloride
(dichloromethane) CH₂Cl₂
1.3 41 toxic

chloroform CHCl₃
1.5 61 toxic

carbon tetrachloride CCl₄
1.6 77 toxic, cancer suspect agent

¹ The density of water is 1.0 g / mL; that of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution is 1.2 g / mL.

Name	Formula	Density¹ (g / mL)	bp (^oC)	Comments
*LIGHTER THAN WATER:*
diethyl ether	(CH₃CH₂)₂O	0.7	35	highly flammable, toxic
petroleum ether	-	~0.7	30 - 60	flammable
hexanes	-	~0.7	>60	flammable
benzene	C₆H₆	0.9	80	flammable, toxic, carcinogenic
toluene	C₆H₅CH₃	0.9	111	flammable
ethyl acetate	C₄H₈O₂	0.9	78	flammable, irritant
*HEAVIER THAN WATER:*
methylene chloride (dichloromethane)	CH₂Cl₂	1.3	41	toxic
chloroform	CHCl₃	1.5	61	toxic
carbon tetrachloride	CCl₄	1.6	77	toxic, cancer suspect agent

Reference: Fessenden, Fessenden. Organic Laboratory Techniques 2nd Edition.