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Ch.13 - Solutions & Their Properties

Chapter 13, Problem 47

Predict whether the solubility of butane, C4H10, is greater in water or benzene, C6H6.

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Hello in this problem, we are asked does decking have a higher scalability in ethanol or di ethyl ether. Let's begin by considering the structures of each of these. So we have decades which has carbons and 22 hydrogen. It exists in this long extended hydrocarbon chain since it is made up of just carbon and hydrogen, it is non polar. And so we have these non polar bonds and so decade molecules will interact through London dispersion forces. If we now look at that and all ethanol has a hydroxyl group. Um although it has also this short hydrocarbon tail due to the hydroxyl group, then ethanol is a polar Sullivan and it will interact with other ethane ethanol molecules through hydrant bonding and dipole dipole interactions, we look at di ethyl ether data eater has a polar region but it also has these non polar hydrocarbon fails. And so the ether is considered a little clarity Sullivan and is actually listed as being a non polar Sullivan. So it can interact with itself by then London dispersion forces based on these hydrocarbon groups. And we do have some dipole dipole interactions, but those will be hindered by the presence of these more bulkier hydrocarbon groups. So when we think about the interactions or attractive forces between decade molecules and those between the ethyl ether, they are fairly similar. They both have London dispersion forces um that will dominate and so the ethyl ether will most likely make a good Sullivan if we consider than ethanol, ethanol has that polar hydroxyl group that can be involved in hydrogen bonding and dipole dipole interactions. It is a polar solvent. And so given that the attractions between the decade molecules are different from those between ethanol molecules, mixing them will actually cause a significant amount of disruption to the structure of the liquid, which is unfavorable. So the best Sullivan for a decade would be di ethyl ether. They are more similar in nature. And so if we look at the answers that we've been provided, the first one says decade is more soluble in ethanol, so that's not accurate because ethanol is polar and um decade is non polar. Next one says decade is more soluble in ethyl ether. So that is correct. So did ether has low um polarity. So it is actually again considered a non polar solvent. And so it will serve as a better solvent for a decade, which is non polar. And the last one says that decade is equally soluble in both solvents, which is not true. Given that we eliminated a thanks for watching. Hope this help