Q.32. Question: Explain why beeswax is... [FREE SOLUTION]

Chapter 4: Q.32. (page 128)

Question: Explain why beeswax is insoluble in $H_{2} O$ , slightly soluble in ethanol $(C H_{3} C H_{2} O H)$ , and soluble in chloroform role="math" localid="1648544714807" $(C H C l_{3})$ .

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Answer

Beeswax is soluble in chloroform because it is the most non-polar solvent. It is insoluble in water because water is the most polar solvent.

Step by step solution

Chemical composition of beeswax

Beeswax is a lipid. It is made up of esters of fatty acids and long-chain alcohol. It consists of a long chain of hydrocarbons; therefore, it is less soluble in polar solvents like water.

Solubility of beeswax

Beeswax is a lipid, and consists of a long hydrocarbon part that is non-polar. As a result, it will be less soluble in polar solvents.

Water is a very polar solvent due to the presence of a highly electronegative oxygen atom in it. Beeswax will thus be insoluble in water.

Ethanol ( $C H_{3} C H_{2} O H$ ) is less polar than water due to the presence of an alkyl group. As a result, beeswax will be slightly soluble in ethanol.

Chloroform ( $C H C l_{3}$ ) is a non-polar solvent. Beeswax consists of a non-polar hydrocarbon part. Therefore, it will be soluble in chloroform.