LABORATORY PROCEDURE CHEM1055-F23-L9-LAB

Introductory Chemistry for the Life (Biotechnology Technician)

Like Dissolves Like

Introduction
When two or more non-metals or metalloids are combined, they form covalent bonds.
Covalent bonds can be classified as polar or nonpolar. Polar covalent bonds are those in
which electrons are not shared equally because one atom has a stronger attraction for
the electrons than the other. An atom’s attraction for electrons in a bond is referred to as
its electronegativity. When two atoms that participate in a covalent bond have a significant
difference in electronegativity (between 0.5 and 1.8), we say that the bond is polar
covalent. Nonpolar covalent bonds occur between two atoms with similar
electronegativities, and therefore the attraction for electrons is similar and the atoms
share electrons equally. When the electronegativity difference between the atoms is small
(0.4 or less), we say the bond is nonpolar. Conversely, if the electronegativity difference
is 1.9 and greater, we say the bond is ionic.
Chemists use the phrase “like dissolves like”, meaning that substances with similar
chemical characteristics will dissolve in each other. When two substances mix well with
each other, we refer to them as miscible. Polar substances, like water, can only dissolve
other polar substances while non-polar substances, like hexane, can only dissolve other
non-polar substances. Conversely, polar substances and nonpolar substances do not mix
well with each other and are referred to as immiscible.
This laboratory experiment will investigate the polarity of common chemicals by using
the idea of “like dissolves like” in a polar solvent (water) and a nonpolar solvent (hexane).
The solubility of ionic compounds will also be briefly investigated.
Learning Outcomes
6.3 Apply the electronegativity of elements to predict polar covalent bonds
6.6 Predict whether a molecule is polar or nonpolar from covalent bond polarity and
its molecular geometry
6.7 Discuss the solubility of chemical compounds in polar and nonpolar solvents

Safety Considerations and Preparation

• Wash hands before and after lab work; wear safety glasses and gloves.
• Hexane is an organic solvent; handle with care in the fume hood.
• Use caution when handling chemicals. If skin or eye contact occurs, flush area
with water. If inhalation occurs, remove to fresh air.
• Liquids (except water) must be stored and handled in the fume hood at all times.
• Methanol is toxic by ingestion and a skin irritant.
• Xylene and cyclohexane can be harmful if inhaled and both are skin irritants.

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LABORATORY PROCEDURE CHEM1055-F23-L9-LAB

Experiment 1 – Solvent Polarity

The properties of nonpolar (hexane) and polar (water) substances are described,
and their immiscibility is observed.

Materials / Equipment
• 1 mL hexane
• 2 mL distilled water
• disposable pipettes
• 2 x small test tubes
• Food colouring (one colour)

Procedure
1. Using a disposable pipette, transfer approximately 2 mL of distilled water into a
clean, dry, small test tube.
2. Using a separate disposable pipette, measure approximately 1 mL of hexane
and add it to the small test tube containing water. Record your observations in
question 1a in your report.
3. Gently swirl the test tube to mix and allow to settle for one minute. Record your
observations in question 1b in your report.
4. Add one drop of food colouring to your mixture and swirl the test tube to mix.
Allow the mixture to settle for one minute and record your observations in
question 2 in your report.
5. Dump the remaining mixture into the organic waste beaker.

Experiment 2 – Solute Polarity

It is possible to determine the nature of various substances knowing that “like

dissolves like”. Polar substances will dissolve in water (a polar solvent), while nonpolar
substances will not. Conversely, nonpolar substances will dissolve in hexane (nonpolar
solvent), while polar substances will not.

Materials / Equipment
• 10 mL distilled water
• 10 mL hexane
• disposable pipettes
• 5 x small test tubes
• test tube rack
• scoopula
• large glass stir rod
• 1 g each of sugar (sucrose) and table salt (NaCl)
• 2 mL each of methanol, xylene and cyclohexane

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LABORATORY PROCEDURE CHEM1055-F23-L9-LAB

Procedure
For solids:
1. Using a disposable pipette, add ~2 mL of distilled water directly into one small
test tube.
2. Using a separate disposable pipette, add ~2 mL of hexane directly into a second
small test tube.
3. Using a scoopula, add a small amount of sucrose (approximately the size of a
match head) into both test tubes.
4. Using a large glass stir rod, stir to dissolve the solute into the solvents.
5. Check to see if the sucrose dissolves into the solvent to make a solution. Check
the bottom of the test tube for signs of solubility such as disappearance of solute.
6. Record your observations of solubility in the table in your report.
7. In the last column of the table, record if the substance is polar or nonpolar based
on its solubility in either water or hexane, respectively.
8. Carefully pour the entire contents of each test tube into the aqueous or organic
waste beakers in the fume hood.
9. Repeat steps 1-8 with solid NaCl

For liquids:

1. Obtain three small test tubes in a test tube rack and label the test tubes M, C
and X. To each test tube, add approximately 2 mL of water.
2. Using the corresponding disposable pipette, add ~ 1 mL of methanol to the first
test tube (M), ~ 1 mL of cyclohexane to the second test tube (C) and ~ 1 mL of
xylene to the third test tube (X). Gently swirl the test tubes to stir the solutions.
Allow the test tubes to settle for 2 minutes.
3. Check to see if each solute dissolves into the solvent to make a solution. Check
for signs of solubility, such as the formation of a homogenous mixture. If you
struggle with identifying solubility, add another mL of the solute, swirl and settle.
4. Record your observations of solubility in your report.
5. Carefully pour the entire contents of each test tube into the aqueous waste
beakers in the fume hood. Rinse each test tube before proceeding.
6. Repeat steps 1-4 using hexane as your solvent instead of water.
7. Carefully pour the entire contents of each test tube into the organic waste
beakers in the fume hood. Rinse and clean each test tube with versa clean soap.

Discussion
Complete the report sheet for this lab and submit it at the end of the lab period.

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