Question

Describe how you could separate and purify compound A from a mixture of two neutral compounds (A and B) when A comprises 95% of the total and B the other 5% of the total. Assume that A and B have similar polarities.

Answer 1

We could use fractional distillation, solvent extraction, partial crystallization, chromatography, and another.

Step-by-step explanation:

The only information given is that the compounds have similar polarities, which means they form a homogeneous mixture, so, to separate them, we should use some of the processes of separation of a homogeneous mixture.

Without knowing any of the physical properties of A and B (physical state, density, boiling point, for example) it's impossible to determinate the better process of separation. However, we can describe some of the processes that are used to separate homogeneous mixtures: fractional distillation, solvent extraction, partial crystallization, and chromatography, for example.