Question

Why are alkanes insoluble in water and readily soluble in organic solvents like chloroform or ether?

Answer 1

• The solubility of any substance is governed by the principle of like dissolves like. This means polar compounds are soluble in polar solvents while nonpolar compounds are soluble in nonpolar solvents.
• Alkanes consist of C – C and C – H nonpolar covalent bonds and thus, they are nonpolar in nature, whereas water is a polar solvent.
• The dipole-dipole forces that exist between water molecules is much stronger than the forces of attraction between alkane and water molecules.

Hence,

Alkanes are insoluble in water and readily soluble in organic solvents like chloroform or ether.