47.3k views
4 votes
Which of the following in each pair is likely to be more soluble in hexane, C₆H₁₄: propionic acid, CH₃CH₂COOH, or sodium propionate, CH₃CH₂COONa?

1) Propionic acid
2) Sodium propionate

User Elad Tabak
by
7.1k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

1) Propionic acid is more soluble in hexane than sodium propionate due to its nonpolar hydrocarbon chain, which is compatible with the nonpolar nature of hexane.

Step-by-step explanation:

Between propionic acid (CH3CH2COOH) and sodium propionate (CH3CH2COONa), propionic acid is likely to be more soluble in hexane (C6H14). Hexane is a nonpolar solvent, and solubility in nonpolar solvents is generally greater for nonpolar or less polar substances. Propionic acid, having a nonpolar hydrocarbon chain and only a weakly polar carboxyl group, will interact more favorably with hexane than sodium propionate, which contains an ionic bond that makes it highly polar and thus better suited for solvation in polar solvents such as water.

User Kgnkbyl
by
6.8k points