Term: crowding https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01420 Definition: The displacement of an impurity from an extract phase by contact with a solution containing the main extractable solute. The main solute need not be present in a pure solution but should have a higher distribution ratio than the impurities present. Related Terms: 1) exchange extraction (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E02239). 2) scrubbing (in solvent extration, in atmospheric chemistry) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05511). Source: PAC, 1993, 65, 2373. 'Nomenclature for liquid-liquid distribution (solvent extraction) (IUPAC Recommendations 1993)' on page 2386 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199365112373) Citation: 'crowding' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01420 License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms. Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.