Chapter 26, Problem 37PP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

It should be identified and explained that whether hexane or water would be more appropriate for extracting terpenes from plant tissues.

Concept introduction:

Solubility of compounds depends on their polarity.

According to “like dissolves like law” polar compound is soluble in polar solvents and non-polar compound are soluble in non-polar compounds.

Water is a polar solvent and it has an ability to form hydrogen bond with the reacting species, formation of hydrogen bond (inter molecular hydrogen bond) increases the solubility.

Generally most of the organic compounds are non-polar (or less polar).