The principal reason for the extremely low solubility of NaCl in benzene (C₆H₆)is the ________. A)strong solvent-solvent interactions B)hydrogen bonding in C₆H₆ C)strength of the covalent bond in NaCl D)weak solvation of Na⁺ and Cl^- by C₆H₆ E)increased disorder due to mixing of solute and solvent

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Benzene is a nonpolar solvent, so it cannot solvate the ionic Na+ and Cl- ions of NaCl. There are weak van der Waals interactions between the benzene molecules and the ions, but these are not strong enough to dissolve the NaCl. Therefore, the solvation of Na+ and Cl- ions by benzene is weak.

The Principal Reason for the Extremely Low Solubility of NaCl