What is a Solvent?
Solvent is the most common word used in physical chemistry. Here, we will discuss the solution, solute, types of solvent, examples of solvent, and what is a solvent in science? A solution is a homogeneous mixture made up of solute and solvent. The major part of a solution is composed of solvent while the minor part is composed of solute. The solvent is the substance or liquid in which other materials dissolve to form a solution.
Types of Solvents
Solvents can be classified into two types:
Polar solvent
Non-polar solvent
List of Solvents
Non - Polar Solvent
Pentane - Pentane is a five-carbon chain organic compound. It has a low dielectric constant. Its dipole moment is zero. It does not act as a good solvent for charged species.
Hexane - Hexane is a six-carbon chain organic compound. It has a low dielectric constant. Its dipole moment is zero. It does not act as a good solvent for charged species.
Toluene - Toluene is an aromatic organic compound. It has a low dielectric constant. Its dipole moment is 0.34D. It does not act as a good solvent for any charged species.
Chloroform - Chloroform is an organic compound. It has a low dielectric constant. Its dipole moment is 1.04D. It does not act as a good solvent for charged species.
Polar Solvent
Water - Its chemical formula is H2O. It is a polar protic solvent. It is also called a universal solvent. In various reactions, water plays the role of a solvent. Its dielectric constant is 80. The dipole moment of water is 1.85D. Water as a solvent example- water's ability to disrupt molecular structures to form solutions, makes it a valuable tool for organisms at the cellular level. Water as a solvent example will help you to get a clear understanding of the concept of polar solvents.
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Methanol - It is a polar organic compound. Its molecular formula is CH3OH. Its dielectric constant is 33. It has a high dipole moment of around 1.70 D.
Acetic Acid - It is a polar organic compound. Its molecular formula is CH3COOH. Its dielectric constant is 6.2. It has a high dipole moment of around 1.74 D.
Ethanol - Ethanol is a polar organic protic solvent. Its molecular formula is CH3CH2OH. Its dielectric constant is 25. It has a high dipole moment of around 1.69 D.
Ammonia - Ammonia is a polar organic protic solvent. Its molecular formula is CH3CH2OH. Its dielectric constant is 25. It has a high dipole moment of around 1.40 D.
Examples
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In the above reaction, water acts as an activating solvent for the bromine molecule to form an intermediate.
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Methane chloride acts as a solvent for creating a non-polar environment.
Uses of Solvents
Solvents loosely can be translated as substances that have the ability to dissolve other substances to form a homogenous mixture called a solution. The use of solvent is widely popular from dissolving paint, grease, and oil to the mixing of pigments, glues, epoxy, resins pesticides etc. to the cleansing of automotive parts, tools, electronics. Solvents are also used in the making of other chemicals. Some of the industries that deal with solvents on a regular basis include but are not limited to aerospace, wastewater, printing, and ink, oil and gas, metal finishing, furniture, and wood manufacturing, electrical, coatings and paint, automotive, cannabis, or marijuana, pharmaceuticals.
Did You Know?
Protic solvents have a tendency to participate in hydrogen bonding.
The entropy of the solution is more than the entropy of the solvent.
The dielectric constant of the solvent is the capacity to reduce the solute’s effective internal charge.
A fun fact about the word solvent is that the solvent definition Chemistry is different from that in English. For example, an organization or any person is said to be solvent, when they own enough money or assets to pay all their debts or bills, whereas, the word insolvent is used to refer to those who are incapable of paying off their debts.
FAQs on Solvent Examples
1. What is a solvent in simple terms?
A solvent is a substance, usually a liquid, that has the ability to dissolve other substances to form a uniform mixture called a solution. The substance that gets dissolved is called the solute. In any solution, the solvent is the component present in the largest amount.
2. What are some common examples of solvents used in daily life?
Many common household products are or contain solvents. Some familiar examples include:
- Water: Used for drinking, cleaning, and in many drinks.
- Ethanol (Alcohol): Found in perfumes, sanitisers, and medical wipes.
- Acetone: The main ingredient in nail polish remover.
- Turpentine: Used to thin oil-based paints.
3. What are the main types of solvents in chemistry?
Solvents are primarily classified into two main types based on their molecular structure:
- Polar Solvents: These have molecules with a separation of positive and negative charges (like water and ethanol). They are excellent at dissolving other polar substances, such as salt and sugar.
- Non-polar Solvents: These have molecules with an even distribution of charge (like oil, gasoline, and turpentine). They are used to dissolve other non-polar substances like grease and wax.
4. Why is water often called the 'universal solvent'?
Water is called the universal solvent because it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid. Its unique polar nature and ability to form hydrogen bonds allow it to effectively pull apart the molecules of many different compounds, from salts and sugars to acids and gases. This property is vital for countless chemical and biological processes on Earth.
5. How can you tell the difference between a solute and a solvent in a solution?
The simplest way to identify the solvent is that it's the substance present in the greatest quantity in the solution. For example, when you dissolve a spoonful of sugar in a glass of water, water is the solvent because there is much more of it, and sugar is the solute.
6. Why doesn't oil mix with water, even though water is such a good solvent?
This happens because of a fundamental principle: "like dissolves like." Water is a polar solvent, while oil is a non-polar substance. The water molecules are more attracted to each other than they are to the oil molecules. As a result, they stick together and exclude the oil, preventing it from dissolving.
7. Can a solid or a gas be a solvent?
Yes, while liquid solvents are the most common, solvents can exist in other states. For example, in air (a gaseous solution), nitrogen is the solvent as it's the most abundant gas. In metal alloys like steel, iron acts as a solid solvent for carbon (the solute).
