Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone could help me with the following problem. We are supposed to make an ester by heating up an alcohol, an organic acid and sulfuric acid together. When the reaction is complete, we add a saturated aqueous solution of table salt to aid in the separation of the organic and inorganic layers. A precipitate of table salt will form when this is done. My question is, why does this occur? Is it maybe because the organic molecules interfere with the water's ability to interact with the salt's ions?
Thanks in advance!