In a 250 mL separatory funnel, place 50 mL of a 1 M NaOH solution and a few drops of the phenolphthalein solution and swirl. Subsequently, add of 50 mL of ethyl acetate. The funnel is then shaken, and the layers allowed to separate. The bottom aqueous layer should be a pink color from the ionic species of phenolphthalein, while the upper organic layer remains colorless.
A 1 M HCl solution is now slowly added until the pink colour disappears. The funnel is shaken, and the layers allowed to separate. Both layers should be colorless since phenolphthalein is now in its neutral form. Collect the lower aqueous layer in a beaker, and add 50 mL of deionized water to the separatory funnel. Next, 1 M NaOH solution is added until the pink color from the phenolphthalein ionic species is visible and moves from the upper organic layer to the lower aqueous layer.