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Which of the following pairs of solvents are immiscible?

A) CH₂OH and CH₂CH₂CH₂OH
B) H₂O and HOCH₂CH₂OH
C) CHM and CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH3
D) CH₂OH and CaH18

User Jakraska
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Immiscible solvents do not mix well. Assuming CH₂OH and CaH18 are methanol and a hydrocarbon like octane, they would be immiscible due to their differing polarity. Methanol, being polar, would not mix with the nonpolar hydrocarbon.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks us to predict which pair of solvents are immiscible, meaning they do not mix well together. The provided solvents in the student's question appear to be typed incorrectly, but assuming CH₂OH refers to methanol (a polar solvent) and CaH18 might be a typo for an alkane (a nonpolar hydrocarbon), such as octane (C8H18), these two solvents would indeed be immiscible. Polar solvents like methanol are typically miscible with other polar solvents and similarly, nonpolar solvents are miscible with other nonpolar solvents following the principle 'like dissolves like'.

For example, I2 (iodine) would be more soluble in CCl4 (carbon tetrachloride) because both are nonpolar, compared to H₂O (water), which is polar. Conversely, C3H2OH, which appears to be a typo but might refer to a compound such as ethanol (a polar alcohol), would be more soluble in H₂O, as both can engage in hydrogen bonding.

The solution process is governed by these solubility rules because solvents with similar intermolecular forces will more effectively solvate solutes with compatible forces, leading to greater solubility.