Final answer:
Ionic compounds do not typically dissolve in nonpolar solvents due to the lack of compatible intermolecular forces; they require polar solvents like water to dissociate and dissolve.
Step-by-step explanation:
An ionic compound generally does not dissolve in a nonpolar solvent. The principle of “like dissolves like” explains that substances with similar intermolecular forces will dissolve in each other. Ionic compounds have strong electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions, and they typically dissolve in polar solvents like water, where the process of dissociation occurs.
Dissociation involves the separation of cations and anions that become surrounded by water molecules in a process known as hydration. Nonpolar solvents, like hexane or carbon tetrachloride, consist mainly of London dispersion forces and do not adequately interact with ionic compounds to dissolve them.