1Orgo question in Topscore..

[potbelly]

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Topscore says diethyl ether is insoluble in water.. but as far as I know it is slightly soluble. (6.9g in 100ml of water..)

Is this an error? or Do I have to assume that ether is insoluble?

Thanks in advance.

 

[cyrano]

Topscore is partially correct. The very limited solubility of which you speak (6.9 g / .1 L) is why its used in liquid-liquid extractions. You may remember using a separatory funnel in organic chemistry to extract your organic substituents. For questions like that I like to think back to lab. You can also just use general principles like the fact that diethyl ether has a very small dipole and while hydrogens from H2O can bond to its oxygen it has no hydrogens to share with waters electronegative oxygen.

However, like you said, it still is somewhat soluble, but not completely. This is what makes it so great for liquid-liquid extractions.

 

[gentile1225]

My understanding is that ethers are generally used as solvents because they are incapable of forming hydrogen bonds, and may therefore decrease their solubility. Although there may be some solubility, it may not be easily soluble. I know were not allowed to pour ether down the sink in lab, so its bad somehow!

 

[ethanyoo726]

I think you should assume that ether is insoluble. Gentile1225 is right...it's all about Hydrogen bonding. Ether can't really hydrogen bond. So it's not going to be very soluble in water.

 

[OC1314]

Which test and question of topscore is that one?

 

[doc3232]

Ya, like someone said, think back to lab for these types of questions.
ether is not at all soluble in water. I remember the droplets of ether formed like oil ones do.