Extraction into organic solvent: Using a plastic pipette transfer the solution from the 
filter flask into a centrifuge tube. Add one ml of saturated sodium chloride. Extract the 
solution with 3 ml methylene chloride (don’t forget to release the pressure by removing 
the cap after shaking). If an emulsion is formed, it can be broken by centrifuging the 
solution for 2 minutes. Transfer the organic layer into a clean centrifuge tube. (In some 
cases a third layer is observed between the organic and aqueous phases. In this case 
transfer only the bottom clear methylene chloride layer. Repeat the extraction two more 
times with fresh portions of 3 ml methylene chloride and combine the organic layers. 
Wash the combined organic fractions with 1 ml saturated sodium chloride solution and 
separate the organic layer. Dry the organic layer by adding anhydrous sodium sulfate. 
Remove the dry organic layer into a pre weighed 50 ml filter flask. Wash the drying 
agent twice with 1 ml methylene chloride and add it to the filter flask. Evaporate the 
methylene chloride using a sand bath (in the hood !). Make sure that the temperature of 
the sand is not higher then 80o
C! Weigh the dry flask to find the “crude” product weight. 
Keep a sample for melting point.