Table of contents

1. A Review of General Chemistry5h 5m
2. Molecular Representations1h 14m
3. Acids and Bases2h 46m
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes4h 17m
5. Chirality3h 39m
6. Thermodynamics and Kinetics1h 22m
7. Substitution Reactions1h 48m
8. Elimination Reactions2h 30m
9. Alkenes and Alkynes2h 9m
10. Addition Reactions3h 19m
11. Radical Reactions1h 58m
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols2h 42m
13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds2h 17m
14. Synthetic Techniques1h 26m
15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect7h 3m
16. Conjugated Systems6h 13m
17. Ultraviolet Spectroscopy51m
18. Aromaticity2h 34m
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond5h 1m
20. Phenols55m
21. Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition4h 56m
22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS2h 51m
23. The Chemistry of Thioesters, Phophate Ester and Phosphate Anhydrides1h 10m
24. Enolate Chemistry: Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon1h 53m
25. Condensation Chemistry2h 9m
26. Amines1h 43m
27. Heterocycles2h 0m
28. Carbohydrates5h 53m
29. Amino Acids4h 20m
30. Peptides and Proteins2h 42m
31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions1h 30m
32. Lipids 2h 50m
33. The Organic Chemistry of Metabolic Pathways2h 52m
34. Nucleic Acids1h 32m
35. Transition Metals6h 14m
36. Synthetic Polymers1h 49m

8. Elimination Reactions

Solvents

Organic Chemistry

8. Elimination Reactions

Solvents

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3:02 minutes

Problem 21a

Textbook Question

Identify the following solvents as polar protic, polar aprotic, or nonpolar.
(a)

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the definitions of polar protic, polar aprotic, and nonpolar solvents. Polar protic solvents have a hydrogen atom attached to an electronegative atom (e.g., O-H or N-H bonds), allowing them to participate in hydrogen bonding. Polar aprotic solvents lack such hydrogen atoms but are still polar due to their dipole moment. Nonpolar solvents have little to no dipole moment and do not interact strongly with polar molecules.

Step 2: Examine the molecular structure of the given solvent. Look for functional groups or bonds that indicate polarity (e.g., electronegative atoms like oxygen or nitrogen) and the presence of hydrogen atoms directly bonded to these electronegative atoms.

Step 3: Determine if the solvent can participate in hydrogen bonding. If it has O-H or N-H bonds, it is polar protic. If it lacks these bonds but has a dipole moment, it is polar aprotic. If it lacks both hydrogen bonding capability and a significant dipole moment, it is nonpolar.

Step 4: Consider the solvent's dielectric constant and dipole moment. Polar solvents generally have high dielectric constants, while nonpolar solvents have low dielectric constants. This can help confirm your classification.

Step 5: Assign the solvent to the correct category (polar protic, polar aprotic, or nonpolar) based on the analysis of its structure and properties. Repeat this process for each solvent provided in the problem.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Polar Protic Solvents

Polar protic solvents are characterized by the presence of hydrogen atoms bonded to electronegative atoms, such as oxygen or nitrogen. These solvents can form hydrogen bonds and have high dielectric constants, which enhance their ability to dissolve ionic compounds. Common examples include water, alcohols, and carboxylic acids.

Polar Aprotic Solvents

Polar aprotic solvents do not have hydrogen atoms that can participate in hydrogen bonding, yet they possess a significant dipole moment. These solvents can solvate cations effectively but do not stabilize anions as well as protic solvents. Examples include acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and acetonitrile.

Nonpolar Solvents

Nonpolar solvents are characterized by a lack of significant dipole moments and do not have polar bonds that can engage in hydrogen bonding. They are typically used to dissolve nonpolar compounds and are less effective for ionic or polar substances. Common examples include hexane, benzene, and toluene.

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