Which solvent is chosen for extraction when solute X is twice as soluble in it compared to another solvent?

In solvent extraction, the primary goal is to separate a solute from a mixture by utilizing the differing solubilities of that solute in various solvents. When a solute is more soluble in one solvent than in another, that solvent is preferred for extracting the solute.

In the case where solute X is twice as soluble in diethyl ether compared to another solvent, diethyl ether is the best choice for extraction. The higher solubility in diethyl ether suggests that it will effectively dissolve solute X, making it easier to isolate from the mixture.

Diethyl ether is a common organic solvent with low polarity, which often allows it to selectively dissolve nonpolar to moderately polar compounds. This property makes it effective for extractions in organic chemistry, particularly for separating organic compounds from aqueous solutions.

The other solvents provided, such as methylene chloride, acetone, and water, may have different polarities and solvation abilities. Each solvent interacts differently with solute X, but since diethyl ether demonstrates a significantly higher solubility, it becomes the optimal choice for efficiently extracting solute X.