Question

The methylene chloride solution is filtered through sodium sulfate to:

a. Neutralize any acidic contamination
b. Neutralize any alkaline contamination
c. Dry the methylene chloride by removing water
d. Precipitate the caffeine from solution

Answer 1

C. Dry the methylene chloride by removing water

Step-by-step explanation:

Anhydrous sodium sulfate is known for its high capacity to absorb water, for this reason it is widely used in laboratories as a drying agent.

Sodium sulfate is a neutral molecule so it cannot be used to neutralize and is very stable, so it is difficult to precipitate organic molecules.