This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. English
  3. Chemistry; Chem Sci/Eng

partitioned...separated

English translation: partitioned...separated

14:46 Feb 20, 2005
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Science - Chemistry; Chem Sci/Eng
English term or phrase: partitioned...separated
Context: After stirring for 30 min the mixture is evaporated. The residue is partitioned between water and dichloromethane and the mixture treated with a little sodium bisulfite to decolorize. The dichloromethane layer is separated and the aqueous layer is extracted with five portions of dichloromethane.
Question: What's the difference between "partitioned" and "separated" here?

TIA!
Jianming Sun
Local time: 23:45
Selected answer:partitioned...separated
Explanation:
Partitioning is dividing between (usually dissolving in) two normally liquid phases (immiscible liquids). In chemical synthesis the desired product usually dissolves better in one solvent and impurities in the other, so we get one liquid phase (layer) with mostly the pure product and another with mostly impurities.

Separation here is just the removal of one phase (liquid layer) with impurities in it.
Selected response from:

Jörgen Slet
Estonia
Local time: 18:45
Grading comment
Thanks!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +2partitioned...separated
Jörgen Slet
5seperated
Johan Venter
4separated
Maria Chmelarova
3partitioned = divided/split
Edith Kelly


  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
separated


Explanation:
to isolate from mixture

Maria Chmelarova
Local time: 11:45
Works in field
Native speaker of: Slovak
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
partitioned = divided/split


Explanation:
separated=removed
in your context

Edith Kelly
Switzerland
Local time: 17:45
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
seperated


Explanation:
Partition is for more solid objects such as office space that is divided. Seperated is more general in use and you can seperate liquids, but you can also separate colleagues from each other...

This means that in this context divided is the best option.

Johan Venter
Czech Republic
Local time: 17:45
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

21 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
partitioned...separated


Explanation:
Partitioning is dividing between (usually dissolving in) two normally liquid phases (immiscible liquids). In chemical synthesis the desired product usually dissolves better in one solvent and impurities in the other, so we get one liquid phase (layer) with mostly the pure product and another with mostly impurities.

Separation here is just the removal of one phase (liquid layer) with impurities in it.

Jörgen Slet
Estonia
Local time: 18:45
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EstonianEstonian
PRO pts in category: 36
Grading comment
Thanks!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  David Sirett
2 hrs
agree  Alexandra Tussing
4 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search