Final answer:
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) is more soluble in hexane, a nonpolar solvent, than water, because it is also nonpolar. The 'like dissolves like' principle explains that nonpolar solvents better dissolve nonpolar solutes, unlike polar solvents like water.
Step-by-step explanation:
Solubility of CCl₄ in Different Solvents
The solubility of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in water (H₂O) versus hexane (Ch₃-Ch₂-Ch₂-Ch₂-Ch₂-Ch₃) can be explained on the basis of polarity. Carbon tetrachloride is a nonpolar molecule because of its symmetrical tetrahedral shape and the uniform distribution of electrons. According to the principle of 'like dissolves like', nonpolar solutes tend to dissolve better in nonpolar solvents compared to polar solvents. Therefore, CCl₄ would be more soluble in hexane, which is a nonpolar solvent, than in water, which is a polar solvent.
On the contrary, substances like ethanol (C₃H₇OH) and isopropanol (C₃H₈O), which feature hydrogen bonding, are more soluble in water than in nonpolar solvents like CCl₄ since water is also capable of hydrogen bonding. This difference in solubility is due to the intermolecular forces present in the solvents and solutes. Nonpolar substances like iodine (I₂) and CCl₄ are more soluble in solvents like CCl₄ or hexane, whereas polar substances or those capable of hydrogen bonding are more compatible with water.