countercurrent distribution

countercurrent distribution, in chemistry, a multistage solvent-extraction process, one of many separation methods that can be employed in chemical analysis.

Substances are separated by this method on the basis of their different solubilities in two immiscible liquids. These two liquids, flowing in opposite directions, are brought into contact, mixed, and allowed to separate. The upper layer is transferred off in one direction and the lower in another; this cycle of operations may be repeated as many times as necessary to effect the desired separation.

A sample of a substance in contact with two solvents that do not dissolve in one another seeks an equilibrium condition in which it is distributed between them; the ratio of the concentrations in the two solvents, called the distribution coefficient, is characteristic of the compound and of the solvent pair. Compounds that have dissimilar molecular structures usually have widely different distribution coefficients, and mixtures of such compounds can be separated satisfactorily by one or a few transfers between a suitable solvent pair in simple equipment. Closely similar substances, however, such as proteins, have very similar distribution coefficients, and hundreds of transfers may be required to produce a complete separation.

The principle of countercurrent distribution is similar to that of chromatography; both procedures are used for analysis and purification of mixtures of similar compounds.