In addition, an organic non-polar water non-solvent is preferably added which also is a strong solvent for the dimethylacetamide, as distinguished from a compound which may be merely miscible with the dimethylacetamide. In general, such a solvent is added in the ratio of about 25% to 50% by volume of the dimethylacetamide. Exemplary solvents are benzene and the lower alkyl substituted benzenes, such as toluene, ethylbenzene and the xylenes.
Following adjustment of the water content and addition of the organic solvent, separation of two independent phases is clearly established, the water phase containing substantially all of the potassium acetate and the organic solvent or nonaqueous phase containing substantially all of the N,N-dimethylacetamide.The water phase will be the lower layer and may then be removed by either gravity separation or automatic decantation. In some instances, it may be necessary to wash the water phase with the solvent to remove a portion of the dimethylacetamide which may have dissolved in the aqueous layer.