An acid-base reaction is utilized in order to isolate the individual species from the mixture. First, in isolating the base benzocaine, proton transfers occurred via reaction with hydrochloric acid, which led to a significant shift in the polarity of the said compound, although the conjugate acid of benzocaine formed as a result. Due to the change in polarity, the state of benzocaine shifted from being solubilized in diethyl ether to water. Through vacuum filtration, water was removed. Sodium hydroxide was added to the separated water in order to produce
An acid-base reaction is utilized in order to isolate the individual species from the mixture. First, in isolating the base benzocaine, proton transfers occurred via reaction with hydrochloric acid, which led to a significant shift in the polarity of the said compound, although the conjugate acid of benzocaine formed as a result. Due to the change in polarity, the state of benzocaine shifted from being solubilized in diethyl ether to water. Through vacuum filtration, water was removed. Sodium hydroxide was added to the separated water in order to produce