Lexikon

an extraction technique of solids in which the sample is repeatedly contacted with solvent over several hours, increasing the extraction efficiency. Soxhlet extraction is a purification technique developed by Franz von Soxhlet in 1879. The solid is put into a paper "thimble" which is then placed into the main chamber of the Soxhlet extractor. The solvent is heated to reflux and then travels up the distillation arm and floods into the main chamber with the thimble. The chamber then slowly fills and some of the pure compound will dissolve into the solvent. The chamber is emptied with the help of the side arm and the cycle repeats. See also http://chemistry.hull.ac.uk/labweb/glossary_soxhlet.php#