Q. 9.5 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Water is a polar solvent and carbon tetrachloride $\left(CC{l}_4\right)$ is a nonpolar solvent. In which solvent is each of the following, which is found or used in the body, more likely to be soluble?

a. $CaC{O}_3$ (calcium supplement), ionic

b. retinol (vitamin A), nonpolar

c. sucrose (table sugar), polar

d. cholesterol (lipid), nonpolar

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(a) $CaC{O}_3$ (Calcium supplement), ionic substance and is Soluble in water.

(b) Retinol (Vitamin A), nonpolar and is soluble in Carbon tetrachloride $\left(CC{I}_4\right)$

(c) Sucrose (Table sugar), polar and that is soluble in water.

(d) Cholesterol (lipid), non-polar substance and is soluble in Carbon tetrachloride$\left(CC{I}_4\right)$.

Step1: Introduction.

Two hydrogen atoms and one electronegative oxygen atom make up the water molecule. Because of the variation in electronegativity values,  every hydrogen atom acquires a slightly positive charge, while the oxygen atom acquires a partial negative charge.

Water is a polar solvent that dissolves polar substances, while CCl4 is a non-polar solvent, and it dissolves non-polar solutes in it. Remember the phrase," Like dissolves like". 

Step2: Carbon Tetrachloride.

There are four $C-Cl$ bonds in carbon tetrachloride $\left(CC{I}_4\right)$. Because of the high difference in electronegativity between both the $C$ and $CI$ atoms, also every $C-Cl$ bond is polar. Because of the molecule's tetrahedral structure, its own resultant dipole moment is zero. As a result, carbon tetrachloride is a nonpolar solvent which only dissolves nonpolar substances.

                             

Step3: Given Information (part a).

Water is a polar solvent and carbon tetrachloride is a Non polar solvent.

Find the Calcium supplement $\left(CaC{O}_3\right)$, ionic is soluble or not.

Step4: Explanation (part a).

$CaC{O}_3$ is an ionic compound that is water soluble.

Step5: Given Information (part b).

Water is a polar solvent and carbon tetrachloride is a Non polar solvent.
To find the Retinol (Vitamin A),Non-polar is soluble or not.

Step6: Explanation (part b).

Retinol is a nonpolar compound that is soluble in carbon tetrachloride.

Step7: Given Information (part c).

Water is a polar solvent and carbon tetrachloride is a Non polar solvent.
To Know the sucrose (table sugar), polar is soluble or not.

Step8: Explanation (part c).

Sucrose is a polar compound that is water soluble.

Step9: Given Information (part d).

Water is a polar solvent and carbon tetrachloride is a Non polar solvent.
To find out the Cholesterol (Lipid), non-polar is soluble or not.

Step10: Explanation (part d).

Cholesterol is a nonpolar substance that dissolves in carbon tetrachloride.