What is the general purpose of liquid-liquid extraction?

The general purpose of liquid-liquid extraction is to separate compounds based on their solubility in different solvents. This separation method takes advantage of the differing affinities of compounds for each solvent used in the extraction process. When two immiscible liquids are mixed, compounds will preferentially dissolve in one phase or the other depending on their polarity and solubility characteristics. This allows for efficient separation of desired substances from impurities or other components in a mixture.

In practical applications, this technique is often employed in organic chemistry to isolate products from reaction mixtures or to purify compounds by taking advantage of their differing solubility in aqueous and organic solvents. The successful application of this technique relies on the careful selection of solvents to ensure optimal separation of the targeted compounds.