[a13b13]

If benzoic acid is placed in a separatory funnel containing dichloromethane and 2M NaOH, which layer will most of the organic material reside?
a. The top organic layer
b. The bottom organic layer
c. The bottom aqueous layer
d. The top aqueous layer

I'm don't really understand the concepts behind this question..Usually in past experiments the aqueous layer is always in the bottom, so is the answer the top organic layer?

[salteen]

Hint: When you mix oil and water, which layer is on top?  Why?

[a13b13]

The oil layer is on top because it is less dense than water. In this type of question though I'm not given density, or is it just that the organic layer is the top one like with oil and water?

[salteen]

Well, the density of dichloromethane isn't hard to find.... I'd suggest you check that first before you answer 

[a13b13]

Ok, I'm sort of just thinking for a test, because this question was from a practice test and it didn't give that information. Do you suggest I ask for it if I were given this question on a test?

[discodermolide]

How do benzoic acid and NaOH interact with each other?

[Dan]

You need to:

1. Determine which layer (top or bottom) is the organic layer.
2. Determine what the organic solute is.
3. Based on the structure of the solute, do you expect it to be more soluble in the organic or aqueous solvent?