Q:Why can I not separate 2-naphthol first?
 
 
In general, acidic organic compounds are extracted with an aqueous inorganic base suc as NaOH. NaOH is a strong inorganic base and both benzoic acid (a carboxylic acid) and 2-naphthol (a weak acid) are ionized to a salt in the presence of NaOH.

  • Benzoic Acid
  • C7H6O2
  • pKa: 4.18
  • 2-naphthol
  • C10H8O
  • pKa: 9.57

Reference: G. Marc Loudon, Organic Chemistry, 3rd ed., Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co, Inc,

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