Q. 15.2 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Which of the following solvents might be used to dissolve an oil stain?

a. water

b. ${\mathrm{CCl}}_4$

c. diethyl ether

d. benzene

e. $\mathrm{NaCl}$ solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(a) Water does not dissolve

(b) ${\mathrm{CCl}}_4$will dissolve
(c) Diethyl ether will dissolve.

(d) Benzene will dissolve

(e) $\mathrm{NaCl}$ will not dissolve.

Part (a) Step 1: Given information

Water must be used to dissolve an oil stain.

The task is to determine if the given solvent dissolves an oil stain.

Part (a) Step 2: Explanation

There is an easily memorable rule when it comes to dissolving a compound: slmilar dlssolves slmilar.

This means that polar solvents dlssolve polar compounds, while nonpolar solvents dlssolve nonpolar compounds.

The given solvent is water, a polar solvent

Oils are nonpolar compounds, which means that an oil stain wIll not be dissolved by water.

Part (b) Step 3: Given information

${\mathrm{CCl}}_4$must be used to dissolve an oil stain.

The task is to determine if the given solvent dissolves an oil stain.

Part (b) Step 4: Explanation

There is an easily memorable rule when it comes to dissolving a compound: slmllar dlssolves slmllar.

This means that polar solvents dlssolve polar compounds, while nonpolar solvents dlssolve nonpolar compounds.

The given solvent is ${\mathbf{CCl}}_4$, a nonpolar solvent

Ols are nonpolar compounds, which means that an oll staln wlll be dlssolved by ${\mathrm{CCl}}_4$.

Part (c) Step 5: Given information

Diethyl ether must be used to dissolve an oil stain.

The task is to determine if the given solvent dissolves an oil stain.

Part (c) Step 6: Explanation

There is an easily memorable rule when it comes to dissolving a compound: simllar dlssolves slmllar.

This means that polar solvents dlssolve polar compounds, while nonpolar solvents dlssolve nonpolar compounds.

The given solvent is dlethyl ether, a nonpolar solvent

Olls are nonpolar compounds, which means that an oll staln wlll be dlssolved by dlethyl ether.

Part (d) Step 7: Given information

Benzene must be used to dissolve an oil stain.

The task is to determine if the given solvent dissolves an oil stain.

Part (d) Step 8: Explanation for

There is an easily memorable rule when it comes to dissolving a compound: simllar dlssolves similar.

This means that polar solvents dlssolve polar compounds, while nonpolar solvents dlssolve nonpolar compounds.

The given solvent is benzene, a nonpolar solvent

Olls are nonpolar compounds, which means that an oll staln wlll be dlssolved by benzene.

Part (e) Step 9: Given information

$\mathrm{NaCl}$ must be used to dissolve an oil stain.

The task is to determine if the given solvent dissolves an oil stain.

Part (e) Step 10: Explanation of

There is an easily memorable rule when it comes to dissolving a compound: similar dlssolves slmilar.

This means that polar solvents dlssolve polar compounds, while nonpolar solvents dlssolve nonpolar compounds.

The given solvent is $NaCl$ solutlon, a polar solvent

Ols are nonpolar compounds, which means that an oll staln will not be dlssolved by an $NaCl$ solutlon.