In general which type of solvent is best suited to dissolve ionic or highly polar substances
See your other post. Like dissolves like.
The best type of solvent for dissolving ionic or highly polar substances is generally a polar solvent. Polar solvents have molecules with a positive and negative end, which allows them to interact with the positive and negative ions present in ionic or highly polar substances. Some common examples of polar solvents include water (H2O), ethanol (C2H5OH), methanol (CH3OH), acetone ((CH3)2CO), and acetonitrile (CH3CN). These solvents are capable of breaking apart the ionic bonds in the substance and surrounding the ions, thus dissolving the substance.
In general, polar solvents are best suited to dissolve ionic or highly polar substances. Polar solvents have a partial positive charge on one end and a partial negative charge on the other end, which allows them to interact with and dissolve substances that have an opposite charge or are highly polar.
One example of a polar solvent is water. Water is considered the universal solvent because of its high polarity and ability to dissolve a wide range of ionic and polar substances. The oxygen atom in a water molecule has a partial negative charge, while the hydrogen atoms have a partial positive charge. This polarity allows water molecules to interact with and surround positively or negatively charged ions, effectively dissolving them.
Other examples of polar solvents include alcohols, such as ethanol and methanol, as well as acetone and some acids. These solvents have similar polar properties that make them effective at dissolving ionic or highly polar substances.
When trying to determine which solvent is best suited for a specific substance, it is helpful to consider the nature of the substance and its charge or polar properties. Additionally, looking up the solubility characteristics of the substance in different solvents can provide guidance on the most appropriate solvent to use.