Question

Paraffins are soluble in
A) Distilled water
B) Benzene
C) Methanol
D) Sea water

Answer 1

Hint: Paraffin are the hydrocarbons known by the name of alkanes. The general formula of a paraffin is \[{{\rm{C}}_{\rm{n}}}{{\rm{H}}_{{\rm{2n + 2}}}}\] . A huge amount of paraffin is contained in petroleum products such as natural gas.

Complete Step by Step Answer:
Let's understand the solubility property of paraffin.

1)The nature of alkanes is non-polar due to the smaller electronegativity difference between hydrogen and carbon and the covalent nature of the C-H or C-C bond.

2) We know that polar molecules' solubility is in the solvents having polar nature. And the same happens with the solutes of non-polar nature. As paraffin is a nonpolar solute, it will not soluble in polar solvents such as water.

Let's discuss the options one by one.

Option A is distilled water that is free of ions. So, paraffin is not soluble in pure water because of the latter's polar nature.

Option C is methanol. The compound methanol is polar due to the polar C-O bond. The electronegativity difference between carbon and oxygen atoms is higher. So, paraffin will not soluble in methanol.

Option D is seawater. As stated above, paraffin is not dissolved in water.

Option B is benzene. The nature of benzene is nonpolar because of the less electronegativity difference between C-C and C-H bonds. Therefore, paraffin is soluble in benzene.

Hence, option B is right.

Note: There are many uses of paraffin alkane in many industries. Its use in electrical insulation, lubrication, and the manufacturing of candles is significant. It is also useful in the treatment of skin softening.