Why are hydrocarbons insoluble in water...

Why are hydrocarbons insoluble in water but highly soluble in solvents like petroleum ether, benzene, carbon tetrachloride etc ?

Text Solution

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An important principle regarding dissolution is 'like dissolves like' . It means that polar molecules dissolve in polar solvents while non-polar molecules dissolve in non-polar solvents. This dissolution process is themodynamically favourable. Water is a highly polar solvent whereas,petroleum, ether,benzene, carbon tetrachloride are non-polar solvents. As hydrocarbons are non-polar compounds ,they are insoluble in water but soluble in petroleum ether, benzene and carbon tetrachloride.

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This question has Statement I and Statement II. Of the four choices given after the Statements, choose the one that best describes the two Statements Statement -1: Ethers are slightly soluble in water but highly soluble in conc. H_2SO_4 Statement-II:The oxygen of ether forms oxonium ion with acids but not with H_2O .

Statement-I is true, Statement-II is true, Statement-II is a correct explanation of Statement-I

Statement -I is true, Statement-II is true, Statement-II is not a correct explanation of Statement-I.

Statement-I is true, Statement -II is false.

Statement -1 is false, Statement-II is true.