The technique of solvent extraction (or liquid–liquid extraction) is frequently used in organic chemistry to separate a desired product from the reaction mixture. The technique uses the idea that a solute will be much more soluble in an organic solvent than it is in water. Separating substances is covered in detail in the 'Separation and purification' topic of the Analytical chemistry course to which you might also like to subscribe.

Solvent extraction is carried out using a separating funnel. The key features of a separating funnel are shown in this annotated diagram. Click the revolving labels to see the annotations.

Separating funnel diagram

The dynamic equilibrium of a solvent moving between two immiscible liquids is shown in the following animation. Click the 'Play' button to view the animation.

Dynamic equilibrium animation