Polymers are high molecular weight compounds with a repeating structural unit. Polystyrene has the formula (CH CHZ) , where Z is C H and n is an integer. where n is 576
A solution of polystyrene in a solvent is prepared. Would you select H O, ethanol (CH CH OH), or toluene (C H CH ) as the solvent for the solution? Briefly justify your choice.
I don't understand your nomenclature (you appear to have omitted the subscripts) but use the same answer from your last post. Like dissolves like. Wouldn't you expect toluene to be more like polystyrene than ethanol or water?
why? aren't they all polar, does it depend on how polar each compound is?
yes and yes.
Water is polar, ethanol is a little less polar, and toluene is only slightly polar (next to hexane which is non-polar).
To select the appropriate solvent for the solution of polystyrene, we need to consider the polarities of the solvent and the polymer.
Polystyrene is a nonpolar polymer due to the presence of only carbon and hydrogen atoms in its repeating unit. Therefore, it would be best to choose a nonpolar solvent that can effectively dissolve polystyrene.
Now, let's compare the polarities of the given solvents - water (H2O), ethanol (CH3CH2OH), and toluene (C6H5CH3).
Water is a highly polar solvent due to its ability to form hydrogen bonds with other polar molecules. However, since polystyrene is nonpolar, water would not be an ideal choice for dissolving it.
Ethanol is a moderately polar solvent, also capable of forming hydrogen bonds. While it can dissolve some polar and mildly polar compounds, it may not be the best option for dissolving a nonpolar polymer like polystyrene.
On the other hand, toluene is a nonpolar solvent. It consists of only carbon and hydrogen atoms, making it suitable for dissolving nonpolar compounds such as polystyrene. Toluene is often used as a solvent for dissolving polymers due to its nonpolar nature.
Therefore, toluene would be the most appropriate choice as the solvent for the solution of polystyrene.