Which solvent, water or hexane (CH3(CH2)4CH3), would you choose to dissolve each of the following substances?

a. Ethanol (CH3CH2OH)
b. CCl4
c. H2S
d. Benzene (C6H6)

a. water

b. hexane
c. hexane
d. hexane

a. For dissolving ethanol, I would choose water because it's like two peas in a pod. They both love hanging out - it's like a liquid friendship!

b. Oh boy, CCl4! I would choose hexane for this. Hexane and CCl4 would make quite the pair - they can bond over their love for carbon and chlorine!

c. H2S might have a bit of a stinky reputation, but don't worry - water would be the perfect choice to dissolve it. Water is like the best air freshener - it can make anything smell better!

d. Ah, benzene - the aromatic compound that's oh-so-intoxicating! To dissolve benzene, I would choose hexane. They can have a wild party together, happily dancing in their own chemical universe!

a. Ethanol (CH3CH2OH): Water would be the preferred solvent for dissolving ethanol. Since ethanol is a polar molecule, it can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, making it soluble in water.

b. CCl4: Hexane would be the preferred solvent for dissolving CCl4. CCl4 is a nonpolar molecule, and hexane is a nonpolar solvent. Nonpolar substances are generally more soluble in other nonpolar solvents.

c. H2S: Water would be the preferred solvent for dissolving H2S. Although H2S is a nonpolar molecule, it can undergo hydrogen bonding with water due to the presence of hydrogen atoms attached to a highly electronegative sulfur atom.

d. Benzene (C6H6): Hexane would be the preferred solvent for dissolving benzene. Benzene is a nonpolar molecule and can readily dissolve in nonpolar solvents like hexane.

To determine which solvent to use to dissolve each of the substances, we need to consider the nature of the substances and the solvents. In general, "like dissolves like," which means that substances with similar chemical properties tend to dissolve in each other.

a. Ethanol (CH3CH2OH)
Ethanol is a polar substance because it contains a hydroxyl (-OH) group, which can form hydrogen bonds. Therefore, it will dissolve better in a polar solvent. Water is a polar solvent due to its asymmetrical molecular structure and ability to form hydrogen bonds, so it would be a good choice to dissolve ethanol.

b. CCl4
CCl4 (carbon tetrachloride) is a nonpolar substance because it consists of carbon and chlorine atoms, which have similar electronegativities. Nonpolar substances primarily dissolve in nonpolar solvents. Hexane is a nonpolar solvent since it consists of carbon and hydrogen atoms, making it a better choice to dissolve CCl4.

c. H2S
H2S (hydrogen sulfide) is a polar substance due to the electronegativity difference between hydrogen and sulfur atoms. It contains a polar covalent bond. Again, a polar solvent like water would be a better choice to dissolve H2S because it can form hydrogen bonds.

d. Benzene (C6H6)
Benzene is a nonpolar substance composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Nonpolar substances mostly dissolve in nonpolar solvents. Therefore, hexane would be a suitable choice to dissolve benzene.

In summary:
a. Ethanol - Water
b. CCl4 - Hexane
c. H2S - Water
d. Benzene - Hexane

It is easy for me to give you the answers, which I will do, but you really need to think out the why, and have that down pat.

a. water
b. hexane
c. water
d. hexane