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naphthalene is only made of two types of atom: carbon and hydrogen. There is little difference in electronegativity between these atoms (how well they can pull on electrons) so there is an equal distribution of electron density across the molecule, thus being NON-POLAR.

Water on the other hand is comprised of oxygen and hydrogen atoms, between which there is a large difference in electronegativity. This means that there is an imbalance of charge across the molecule resulting in water being POLAR.

a polar molecule is unable to interact with a non-polar molecule as they don't 'have anything in common' in terms of their charge distribution.

Naphthalene will dissolve in petrol due to petrol being a non-polar solvent.

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11y ago
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14y ago

as like dissolves like water being polar cannot dissolve a non polar substance like naphthalene.

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12y ago

N2 is a non polar compound and water is a polar solvent. So, nitrogen gas shows resistance to dissolve in water.

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Q: Why does naphthalene dissolve in organic solvents but does not dissolve in water?
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What is the difference in the solubility of organic and inorganic compounds in water and in organic solvents?

In general, inorganic compounds will dissolve in polar or inorganic solvents such as water, whereas organic compounds will dissolve in organic solvents. However there are many exceptions to these.


Why is naphthalene more soluble in petroleum ether than in water?

naphthalene is non-polar and can only dissolve in non-polar solvents. ether is non-polar, water is polar.


Why phenol does not dissolve in water when excess?

Phenol (C6H5OH) is more organic and is a covalent compound. The percentage of carbon is more compared to -OH (the polar part). Hence phenol will dissolve in organic solvents and not in water.


What do solvents do to you?

Solvents are chemical substances that can dissolve, suspend or extract other materials usually without chemically changing either the solvents or the other materials. Solvents can be organic, meaning the solvent contains carbon as part of its makeup, or inorganic, meaning the solvent does not contain carbon. For example, "rubbing" alcohol is an organic solvent and water is an inorganic solvent. Hydrocarbon and oxygenated solvents are examples of types of organic solvents that can effectively dissolve many materials.


How do you account for the observed solubility of naphthalene and sodium chloride in water and ether based on the nature of the bonds that exist in them?

The reason why naphthalene can be dissolve in ether and not in water is because of their polarity. Naphthalene is a non-polar molecule. so it can only dissolve with a non-polar molecule.


Is naphthalene soluble in water or hexane?

Naphthalene is strictly non-polar with a structure similar to two benzene rings linked together. Similarly ether is also highly non-polar. Since like dissolves like naphthalene is soluble in ether.


How can we separate naphthalene from sand?

One way is to dissolve the ammonium chloride in water, then recover the ammonium chloride by evaporation; the naphthalene will not dissolve in water in any substantial quantity.


What is the generalization of solubility of lipids?

Lipids are soluble in nonpolar or organic solvents.


Why is KNO3 and CCL4 not miscible?

KNO3 is potassium nitrate. It is an IONIC compound which dissolved in water. CCl4 is tetrachloromethane, it is a COVALENT compound, which is misxible in organic solvents.


How do you account for the observed solubility of naphthalene and sodium chloride in water and in ether based on the nature of the bonds that exist in them?

The reason why naphthalene can be dissolve in ether and not in water is because of their polarity. Naphthalene is a non-polar molecule. so it can only dissolve with a non-polar molecule.


Why are lipids soluble in organic solvents like chloroform?

Fats, as well as organic compounds, are nonpolar substances. Water, however, is a polar substance. Nonpolar substances dissolve nonpolar substances and polar substances dissolve polar substances (like dissolves like) because each are more attracted to molecules of similar structure than of different structure.


Difference between organic and inorganic solvents?

Like dissolves like. Polar solvents dissolve polar solutes best, and non-polar solvents dissolve non-polar solutes best. Water is a polar molecule, and it therefore dissolves other polar molecules or ionic compounds. Organic solvents are generally not as polar as water or completely non-polar, so things like hydrocarbons, high molar mass alcohols and molecular compounds dissolve best in them.Also, water can hydrogen bond extremely well, which results in some of its unique properties, such as it's high boiling point (especially for it molar mass) and it's high surface tension. Typically organic solvents have much lower boiling points and a lower surface tension.It's also worth mentioning that water is completely non-toxic and environmentally benign, whereas most organic solvents are fairly toxic, especially if ingested, and many are carcinogenic.