Question

Indicate whether organic halides are generally soluble or insoluble in each of the following solvents. (a) water (b) hydrocarbons

Short answer

Organic halides are generally insoluble in water and soluble in hydrocarbons.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Solubility Concepts

To determine solubility, we need to understand the principle "like dissolves like." This means that polar solutes tend to dissolve in polar solvents, while nonpolar solutes dissolve in nonpolar solvents.

Identify the Nature of Organic Halides

Organic halides consist of an organic (usually nonpolar) hydrocarbon chain and a halogen atom. While the halogen might introduce some polarity, the overall nonpolar nature of the hydrocarbon chain usually dominates.

Evaluate Solubility in Water

Water is a polar solvent. Since organic halides are predominantly nonpolar, they are generally insoluble in water.

Evaluate Solubility in Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons are nonpolar solvents. Given that organic halides are mainly nonpolar, they tend to be soluble in hydrocarbons.

Key concepts

Solubility

Solubility is a fundamental concept in chemistry that describes the ability of a substance, known as a solute, to dissolve in a solvent. This property depends on the nature of the solute and solvent, as well as temperature and pressure. In the context of organic chemistry, understanding solubility can help predict how different compounds interact in various environments. - **Polar solutes:** tend to dissolve in polar solvents due to the attraction between their respective positive and negative charges. - **Nonpolar solites:** dissolve more easily in nonpolar solvents because there are no charge attractions to overcome. When it comes to organic halides, their solubility is determined by their molecular structure. Although they contain a halogen atom, granting them some polarity, the predominantly nonpolar nature of the organic group generally dictates their solubility behavior.

Like Dissolves Like Principle

The "like dissolves like" principle is a guiding rule in chemistry used to predict solubility. It simply means that substances with similar polarities are more likely to dissolve in each other. This concept helps explain why certain solvents can dissolve specific solutes. - **Polar solvents** possess significant partial electric charges, allowing them to dissolve other polar compounds effectively. Water, for instance, is a highly polar solvent and thus dissolves ionic and polar substances well. - **Nonpolar solvents**, being neutral in charge, are ideal for dissolving nonpolar compounds. Hydrocarbons, such as hexane, typify nonpolar solvents and readily dissolve similar substances. Organic halides, though having some polar characteristics due to their halogen component, are chiefly nonpolar. This means they are more likely to dissolve in nonpolar solvents like hydrocarbons, rather than polar solvents like water.

Organic Halides

Organic halides are a class of compounds where a halogen atom such as chlorine, bromine, or iodine replaces one or more hydrogen atoms in an organic alkane chain. This structural organization presents some interesting properties regarding their chemical behavior and applications. - **Structure:** Organic halides are characterized by their hydrocarbon backbone—generally nonpolar—with one or more halogen atoms, which impart a degree of polarity. However, the nonpolar hydrocarbon aspect typically outweighs the halogen's influence. - **Solubility behavior:** Due to their predominantly nonpolar nature, organic halides are usually insoluble in polar solvents like water but dissolve in nonpolar solvents like hydrocarbons. This behavior follows the "like dissolves like" guideline. Understanding these properties is crucial in various applications, from pharmaceuticals to industrial processes, as it helps in choosing the right solvents for reactions and formulations.