Toluene (C₆H₅CH₃) is a common nonpolar organic solvent
CHEMISTRY · Subjective · AP · Chemistry · Properties of Substances and Mixtures · Properties of Substances and Mixtures
Problem
Toluene (C₆H₅CH₃) is a common nonpolar organic solvent. Three solid solutes—iodine (I₂), potassium chloride (KCl), and phenol (C₆H₅OH)—are separately added to beakers containing liquid toluene at 25 °C.
(a) Rank the three solutes from most soluble to least soluble in toluene.
(b) Justify your ranking by analyzing the balance of solute–solute, solvent–solvent, and solute–solvent intermolecular attractions in each case.
(c) The chemist needs to dissolve a small amount of KCl in toluene for a particular reaction. Propose and explain one chemical modification to the solvent system (other than increasing temperature) that would most effectively increase the solubility of KCl.
(d) Discuss how introducing the modification you proposed in part (c) might alter the solubility of iodine and phenol, and explain the underlying intermolecular-force considerations.