Organic Chemistry MCAT Practice Exam

Which compound is likely to be found in the organic layer during extraction?

1. Amines

2. Carboxylic acids

3. Amides

4. Ethers

The correct answer is: Ethers

During extraction, the nature of the compounds and their solubility in organic solvents is crucial. Ethers are organic compounds that contain an oxygen atom bonded to two alkyl or aryl groups. They are generally nonpolar or weakly polar, making them more soluble in organic solvents than in water. In the context of an extraction process, a characteristic feature is that organic solvents are used to separate compounds based on their solubility. Ethers typically remain in the organic layer because their solubility in water is low, allowing them to separate out effectively from more polar substances, such as carboxylic acids or amines, which would prefer to remain in the aqueous layer due to their higher polarity and ability to hydrogen bond with water. The other options—amines, carboxylic acids, and amides—are usually more polar. Carboxylic acids, for example, have the ability to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, making them more soluble in the aqueous layer. Amines also tend to be polar and can interact significantly with water. Amides can exhibit similar solubility properties due to their potential for hydrogen bonding. Thus, ethers stand out in this scenario as substances that are predominantly found in the organic layer during