How does it work:
In extraction, we have two layers, an aqueous layer and an organic layer. The goal of extraction is to separate the two mixtures, this is the reason it is a purification technique. In class for the microscale extraction, we used centrifuge tubes to hold the reaction mixture, we then would separate the layers via a glass pipet and transfer it into a beaker or another centrifuge tube. For macroscale extraction we used a separatory funnel and separated the mixture this way. If you recall, we could then analyze the acidity of the resulting compound (this is shown in the video below after the 3 minute mark). Although drying the mixture is not necessarily the main extraction part, we often would dry or mixture using anhydrous CaCl2 or saturated NaCl2.
