lower alkanes are slightly soluble in water but as carbon number increase solubility decrease coz non polar property increases.the are more soluble in non polar solvents like ether carbon tetrachloride and Naphtaline.water is polar solvent and dissolves polar solutes."LIKE DISSOLVES LIKE".
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Very low molecular weight alkanes are gases, and not water soluble, and higher molecular weight alkanes are either oils or solids, and also not soluble in water. That is due to them being non-polar.
But, from a purely technical standpoint, water will dissolve anything, so it all depends on how you define 'soluble'. But from a practical standpoint, insoluble. For instance, methane has a solubility of 0.025 grams per Kg of water at 20 C. That is not very much.
But, from a purely technical standpoint, water will dissolve anything, so it all depends on how you define 'soluble'. But from a practical standpoint, insoluble. For instance, methane has a solubility of 0.025 grams per Kg of water at 20 C. That is not very much.
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No. Alkanes are generally non-polar. Non-polar substances dissolve best in non-polar solvents, while polar solutes dissolve best in polar solvents. Since water is polar, it doesn't tend to dissolve alkanes very well.
I hope that helps. Good luck!
I hope that helps. Good luck!
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Not really. Alkanes are a hydrocarbon, much like triglycerides (fats). Carbon-hydrogen bonds are non-polar, so they are best dissolved in a non-polar solvent such as benzene.
This is why oil and water do not mix.
This is why oil and water do not mix.