How will select the solvent for extracting unknown compounds using soxhlet? Is it possible with TLC? If any kindly provide reference for it?
Selecting the solvent for extracting unknown compounds using a Soxhlet extractor can be a trial-and-error process. It is important to consider the polarity of the compounds you are trying to extract and choose a solvent that will effectively dissolve them. Additionally, the boiling point of the solvent should be lower than that of the compound being extracted in order to facilitate efficient extraction.
One way to determine the appropriate solvent is to perform a preliminary thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis of the unknown compound. TLC can help identify the polarity of the compound and provide insight into which solvent may be most effective for extraction. By comparing the results of TLC with different solvents, you can determine which one yields the best separation and select it for use in the Soxhlet extractor.
It is important to note that while TLC can provide valuable information about solvent selection, it may not always accurately predict how well a particular solvent will perform in a Soxhlet extraction. Therefore, it may be necessary to conduct further experimentation with different solvents in order to find the most suitable one for extracting unknown compounds using a Soxhlet extractor.
The usual solvents used are diethyl ether or petroleum ether boiling at 30-60 ℃.
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