Which method is most effective for separating reactants from products when their solubilities are different?

The most effective method for separating reactants from products based on their differing solubilities is extraction. This technique involves using a solvent to selectively dissolve one or more of the components in a mixture, allowing for their separation from the others.

In a typical extraction process, two immiscible liquids (such as water and an organic solvent) are used. The reactants and products can either be dissolved in one of these solvents or distributed between the two based on their solubility properties. By controlling the conditions, such as temperature or the choice of solvent, the desired component can be preferentially extracted, leaving the other substances behind.

Filtration is more suited for separating solid particles from liquids or gases based on size rather than solubility differences. Distillation separates components based on differences in boiling points rather than their solubilities, and while centrifugation can separate materials based on density, it does not leverage solubility differences effectively.

Therefore, for the purpose of separating reactants from products when their solubilities differ, extraction emerges as the most suitable choice.