During kupchan fractionation of a plant extract, DCM and Methanol phases formed an emulsion-like substance. The two phases seems inseparable! How can I resolve this problem?
DCM usually take time to separate from methanol, in our case we have to keep it standing for the whole night and then collected the separated part next day. Sometimes you can't see the separation through naked eye, then use your mobile phone flashlight to see the separation line.
I had the same problem over and over, 2 unseparable phases. First solution is, as suggested above, is to wait. Sometimes it can take days to obtain something. The problem is, methanol is slightly soluble in DCM, so it can be hard to split them.
Generally when it happen, I use centrifugation method with PTFE container, at 6000 RPM or above if you can, and then I can remove MeOH or DCM.