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GEORGEL. G I L B E R ~
The Effect of Polarity on Solubility
Sus~lrrm
BY
Brian H. Nordstrom
Embry-RiddleAeronautical University
PreseM, AZ 86301
Checked by
Kenneth H. Lothrop
Marshfield H.S.
Marshfield.MA
This demonstration quite convincingly shows the effect of
oolaritv on soluhilitv accordinr to the chemists' adare "like
dissolv& like;" therifore, polarsolvents dissolve p ~ l ~ s o l u t e s
and nonwlar solvents dissolve nonwlar solutes. Students can
ohserveihat iodine (a nonpolar species) dissolves readily in
l,l,l-trichloroethane (a nonpolar solvent), but does not dis-
solve in water (a polar solvent). Immiscibility of liquids with
different polarities can also he demonstrated by the failure
of the trichloroethane and water to mix. Demonstrations
comparing the soluhility of iodine crystals in water and in
nonpolar solvents such as carbon tetrachloride are fairly
commonl.2. This experiment, however, has been received by
the author's students as being more dramatic in its effects, and
it is readily scaled up for viewing by large classes.
Materials and Equlpment
250-ml stoppered Erlenmeyer flask containing Iz crystals
twd.5-g samples of solid Iz
0.5 e KI
0~~-
two---500-mlErlenmeyer flask~
2 magnetic stirrers, stir bars
3W ml Hz0
300 ml l,l,l,-trichloroethane
250-d separatory funnel (pear-shaped)
2 signs--"I2 in Hz0" and "I2 in TCE"
Procedure
This is a eood oooortunitv to discuss with students some
of the prop&ies o'fiodine. 1;ass around the room for exami-
-
nation the s t o.o.~ e r e dflask containine a few cmstals of solid
Iz. Discuss sublimation, pointing out to students the presence
of iodine vaDor in the flask.
Explain &e operation of the magnetic stirrers, and set a stir
e to^ of one stirrer (much to the fascination of
bar s ~ i n n i n on
beginning studenis). Then pour 300 ml of water into one
500-ml flask, drop in a stir bar, set the flask on a stirrer, and
place next to i t the sign reading "Iz in HzO!' Repeat this op-
eration using the 300 ml of l,l,l-trichloroethane (TCE), using
the other stirrer and the sign reading "12 in TCE!' Explain to
students that 12 and TCE are nonpolar and Hz0 is polar.
(l,l,l-trichloroethane is chosen for this demonstration he-
cause i t is less toxic than other commonly used solvents such
as carbon tetrachloride and benzene. Nevertheless, the vapor
is irritating. AVOID CONTACT w i t h skin, eyes, a n d
Denison Universily
Granville. Ohio 43023
clothing. Also keep trichloroethane away from contact with
active metals.3 The same orecautions anolv.. " to contact with
iodine crystals and iodinekapor.)
Start the stir bar in the water spinning and drop in 0.5 g
iodine crytals. Discuss why very little dissolution occurs. Re-
peat with 0.5 g iodine in the TCE and discuss the difference
observed in soluhility. After the two solutions have mixed for
2-3 min, turn off the stirrers. Pour 100 ml of the iodine-con-
taining water into the separatory funnel and slowly add 100
ml of the iodine-containing TCE, observing the immiscihilitv
of the two liquids. Stopper the separator; funnel, shake it
vigorously, and allow the layers to separate again.
For additional confirmation that "like dissolves like." add
0.5 g KI t o the remaining 200 ml H20 (still containing undis-
solved iodine) and stir. The Iz and I- combine t o form the
triiodide ion, 4-, thus the iodine goes into solution.
'Wheaton, R., "Tested Demonstrations in Chemistry," 6th ed., J.
Chem. Educ., Easton, PA, 1965, p. 211.
Summerlin, L. R.. "Polar Properties and Solubility." in "Testad
Demonstrations in Chemistw."
.. 6th ed.. J. Chem. Educ.. Easton.. PA..
1965, p. 223.
Muir, G. D., "Hazards in the Chemical Laboratory." 2nd ad.. The
Chemical Society, London, 1977, p. 415.
The Insolubility ot "Soluble" Barium Nitrate
SUBMlTTm BY
Jesse Reinstein
University of Wisconsin-Piatteville
Planeville. WI 53818
CHECKED
BY
Margaret Raymond
University of Washington
Seattle. WA 98195
This demonstration is based uoon the unexoected forma-
tion of a precipitate of barium nitiate when b a r b carbonate
or barium o h o s ~ h a t eis treated with dilute nitric acid.
300 ml or Larger tall-form beaker, magnetic stirrer or glass rod.
Demonstration. To 50ml of 1M BaClz contained in thebeaker is
added, with stirring, either 50 ml of 0.5 M Na~C03or 50 ml of 0.3 M
NanPO*. To the beaker containine the nreci~itatedbarium salt are
added. aith constant stirrine. ... four 5-ml nortions of 6 M HNOI.
Caution!TheCOz produced may causespattering.The pwipitalp
is d i s ~ 0 1 ~at4this p < h .Finally, an additional 30 ml of 6 M HNOt
is added, with stirring, to the solution. Within a short period of time
a precipitate of Ba(NO3)n is formed. (Note: barium salts are poi-
sonous and any barium in solution should be precipitated as the
sulfate and should be disposed of in an appropriate manner.)
Remarks. This demonstration can he used in coniunction
with a discussion of solubility and dissolotiun ~ f ~ ~ r e ~ ~ i p i t a t e n .
The term "solut~lr"and the exr~ression"all nitrates are solu-
ble" may he put into proper perspective using the limited
soluhility of barium nitrate.
Volume 61 Number 11 November 1984 1009