Question

Which member of each pair is more soluble in diethyl ether? Why?

1. $\mathbf{NaCl}\left(\mathbf{s}\right)\mathbf{orHCl}\left(\mathbf{g}\right)$
2. ${\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{O}\left(\mathbf{l}\right)\mathbf{orMeCHO}\left(\mathbf{l}\right)$
3. ${\mathbf{MgBr}}_{\mathbf{2}}\left(\mathbf{s}\right)\mathbf{}\mathbf{or}\mathbf{}{\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{3}}{\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{MgBr}\left(\mathbf{s}\right)$
   

Short answer

${\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{O}\left(\mathbf{l}\right)\mathbf{}\mathbf{or}\mathbf{}\mathbf{MeCHO}\left(\mathbf{l}\right)$pair is more soluble in diethyl ether.

Step-by-step solution

Intermolecular force in diethyl ether

In a solution, the intermolecular force is defined as the attractive force between the molecules of solute and solvent which is determined by the relative strength within and between the solute and the solvent. The solutes which have acidic hydrogens are more soluble in diethyl ether.

Solubility in diethyl ether

The molecules which are composed of acidic hydrogens are prone to H-bonding with diethyl ether.

Therefore, ${\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{2}}\mathbf{O}\left(\mathbf{l}\right)\mathbf{}\mathbf{or}\mathbf{}\mathbf{MeCHO}\left(\mathbf{l}\right)$pair is more soluble in diethyl ether.