[cliverlong]

Does anyone have a link that explains the basic difference in the mechanism for solution by polar solvents (such as water) versus solution by non-polar solvents such as benzene?

I have looked in wikipedia and the definition "a solvent is something that dissolves something else" is a bit circular for me.

I think if I have a simple model of the mechanism I will be able to justify why

• ionic compounds, such as NaCl, tend to be soluble in polar solvents and not in non-polar solvents
• and why covalently bonded molecules such as waxes or fats (*) dissolve in liquid hydrocarbons or tetrachloromethane but not in water

For me, the why not is as is important as the why.

Is there a description of the difference between non-polar dissolving, say waxes in benzene, versus non-polar mixing such as octane and decane?

Is tetrachloromethane a polar or non-polar solvent?

Thanks

Clive

(*) Fats/lipids may be a bit more complicated because of their hydrophilic/hydrophobic ends. So if they don't fit easily into the simple classification let's ignore them.

[ARGOS++]

Dear cliverlong;

You packed to much question into a single thread; - it’s enough for two ore three lessons!

So only a few links can be given to “solve” with each one or two partial problems/questions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solvent

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_polarity

http://www.chemguide.co.uk/basicorg/bonding/eneg.html


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant

In one of the sub-links from above also the question about CCl₄ is answered.

I hope it will be of some help to you.
Good Luck!
                    ARGOS⁺⁺

[enahs]

Start with this thread:
http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=27861
It is of a really long post I made.

It touches on everything you mentioned in some manner, and it is at least an explanation. But it is really to much other stuff to expect a high school student to know; but then again you always seem to be a very smart and ambitious person always trying to go much deeper then the level you are ready for! Good luck!

[cliverlong]

Start with this thread:
http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=27861
It is of a really long post I made.

Yes. That's exactly the kind of explanation of the mechanism and its relation to energy/entropy I was looking for. It gives me a "spring-board" to read more on those topics.

It touches on everything you mentioned in some manner, and it is at least an explanation. But it is really to much other stuff to expect a high school student to know; but then again you always seem to be a very smart and ambitious person always trying to go much deeper then the level you are ready for! Good luck!

I am flattered by your assessment.

Clive