Mixing Liquids—Mission Impossible? A Colorful Demonstration on Immiscible Systems

Two demonstrations are presented that show the immiscibility of five or six layers of liquids. The setup of both demonstrations is such that one homogeneous layer in a multiphasic mixture separates into two new layers upon shaking. The solvents used are methanol, toluene, petroleum ether or n-pentane, silicone oil, perfluoroheptanes, and water for the five-layer demonstration. Addition of mercury results in a sixth phase.