Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Amongst the following compounds, identify which are insoluble, partially soluble and highly soluble in water? (i) phenol (ii) toluene (iii) formic acid (iv) ethylene glycol (v) chloroform (vi) pentanol.

 


Answer:


Because the following rule of solubility:


*'Like dissolves Like"* i.e. a polar molecule dissolves in other polar molecules and non-polar dissovles in non-polar molecules.



The solubility categorization for each compound in water is as follows:


*Insoluble: (ii) toluene, (v) chloroform* , because Toluene is a non-polar molecule while chloroform is a polar molecule. Here are the specific details for each:

*Toluene (C7H8 ):* Toluene consists of a nonpolar benzene ring and a weakly polar methyl group -CH3). Because carbon and hydrogen have very similar electronegativities (2.55) and (2.20), respectively, the C-H bonds are essentially nonpolar. Although there is a slight asymmetry due to the methyl group, it is negligible, making the molecule as a whole nonpolar overall.


*Chloroform (CHCl3):* Chloroform is a polar molecule with a net dipole moment of roughly (1.04D). It has a tetrahedral molecular geometry, composed of three highly electronegative chlorine atoms (Electronegativity = 3.16) and one hydrogen atom (Electronegativity = (2.20) bonded to the central carbon atom. Because chlorine is significantly more electronegative than carbon, electrons are pulled toward the chlorine atoms, creating a region of partial negative charge on one side and a partial positive charge on the hydrogen side.


*Partially soluble: (i) phenol, (vi) pentanol,* because phenol is highly polar while pentanol is moderately polar molecule. (i) *Phenol (C6H5OH)*

Phenol is a highly polar molecule with a net dipole moment of about (1.5D to 1.7D).

Structure: It consists of a polar hydroxyl group (-OH) directly attached to an aromatic benzene ring (phenyl group).

Resonance Effect: The lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom overlaps with the pi-electrons of the benzene ring. This delocalization (resonance) enhances the polarity of the O-H bond, making phenol more polar than standard aliphatic alcohols and imparting weakly acidic properties.


*Pentanol (C5H11OH)*

Pentanol is a moderately polar molecule with a net dipole moment similar to small alcohols around (1.6D to 1.7D).

Structure: It features a polar hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a 5-carbon aliphatic chain (pentyl group).

"Dual" Nature: Pentanol has both a polar end and a nonpolar end. The (-OH) group allows it to engage in hydrogen bonding (making it somewhat soluble in water), while the relatively long 5-carbon nonpolar chain limits its solubility compared to smaller alcohols like methanol or ethanol.


*Highly soluble: (iii) formic acid, (iv) ethylene glycol* , because both are highly polar molecules.

*Formic Acid (HCOOH)*

Polarity: Highly polar.

Reason: It features a strongly polar carboxyl group (–COOH). The highly electronegative oxygen atoms pull electron density away from the carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Dipole Moment: The molecule has an asymmetrical, angular geometry. The uneven distribution of charge yields a distinct net dipole moment (approx 1.4 D).

Solubility: Because of its polarity, it can form strong hydrogen bonds and is infinitely miscible in other polar compunds.

*Ethylene Glycol (HOCH2CH2OH)*

Polarity: Highly polar.

Reason: Ethylene glycol contains two hydroxyl (–OH) groups that are highly polar because oxygen is significantly more electronegative than hydrogen.

Dipole Moment & Geometry: While the two (C–O) bond dipoles can cancel each other out when the molecule is drawn in a straight, fully extended (trans) configuration, this conformation is unstable. Instead, the molecule preferentially adopts a bent or "gauche" configuration due to internal hydrogen bonding. This rotation causes the molecule to have a permanent dipole moment, making it polar.

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