Question

Explain why benzene is not soluble in water.

Answer 1

1. Benzene is not soluble in water because it is a non-polar molecule, while water is a polar solvent.
2. According to the principle “like dissolves like”, polar solvents dissolve polar solutes and non-polar solvents dissolve non-polar solutes. 
3. Water molecules form strong hydrogen bonds with each other, and benzene cannot participate in such interactions.
4. Since benzene lacks polarity, it cannot interact effectively with water molecules, leading to poor miscibility and insolubility in water.