What method should be used to extract solute X from water if it is equally soluble in acetone and ethyl acetate?

To extract solute X efficiently from water when it is equally soluble in both acetone and ethyl acetate, the choice of solvent for extraction is crucial. Ethyl acetate is a commonly used organic solvent in extraction processes due to its favorable properties.

When solute X is equally soluble in both acetone and ethyl acetate, selecting ethyl acetate is advantageous as the solute will preferentially dissolve in it when mixed with water. Ethyl acetate, being less polar than water, will create a separate organic phase during the extraction process. This allows for a more effective separation of solute X from the aqueous phase because the solute will migrate to the ethyl acetate layer.

This method leverages the principle of partitioning, where the solute prefers to remain in the less polar solvent, leading to a better recovery of solute X. Additionally, ethyl acetate is easier to handle and evaporate than some other solvents, reducing the risk of contamination and simplifying the workup for further analysis.

Considering the properties of the other solvents, diethyl ether is less polar but can have issues with stability and safety. Acetone, while capable of dissolving the solute, is not the ideal choice since it has a similar polarity to water