Question

Arrange the following compounds in increasing order of their solubilities in chloroform:
NaCl, CH₃OH, cyclohexane, CH₃CN

• A. NaCl < CH₃CN < CH₃OH < Cyclohexane
• B. CH₃OH < CH₃CN < NaCl < Cyclohexane
• C. NaCl < CH₃OH < CH₃CN < Cyclohexane
• D. Cyclohexane < CH₃CN < CH₃OH < NaCl

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Chloroform (CHCl₃), an organic solvent of polar nature, adheres to the principle of "like dissolves like." This means polar solutes favor polar solvents, and nonpolar solutes favor nonpolar solvents.

NaCl: Sodium chloride, an ionic compound, demonstrates poor solubility in organic solvents such as chloroform.

CH₃OH (Methanol): Methanol is a polar molecule, influenced by its electronegative oxygen and polar O-H bond. Although capable of hydrogen bonding, its polarity is less than NaCl. Methanol exhibits partial solubility in chloroform.

CH₃CN (Acetonitrile): Acetonitrile is rendered polar by its CN bond. It possesses lower polarity and a smaller dipole moment than methanol. Consequently, its solubility in chloroform is lower than methanol but higher than NaCl.

Cyclohexane: Cyclohexane is a nonpolar molecule. Chloroform, with its existing dipole moment, is classified as a polar solvent, albeit with lower polarity than water or methanol. Given chloroform's moderate polarity, cyclohexane, being nonpolar, is expected to exhibit the highest solubility among the provided substances.

The ascending order of solubility in chloroform is: NaCl $<$ CH₃CN $<$ CH₃OH $<$ Cyclohexane.