Solvent Chemistry Example 4

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 4

hard
Nail polish does not dissolve in water but dissolves easily in acetone. Explain why a different solvent is needed, and predict whether nail polish would dissolve in vegetable oil.

Solution

  1. 1
    Water is a polar solvent — it dissolves polar and ionic solutes well. Nail polish is made of non-polar organic polymers, so water cannot dissolve it (like dissolves like).
  2. 2
    Acetone is an organic solvent with both polar and non-polar character, allowing it to dissolve the non-polar nail polish polymers.
  3. 3
    Vegetable oil is non-polar, so it might partially dissolve nail polish. However, oil molecules are large and viscous, making it a poor practical solvent. Acetone works better because its small molecules penetrate and dissolve the polish quickly.

Answer

Non-polar nail polish needs a non-polar/organic solvent (acetone), not polar water.\text{Non-polar nail polish needs a non-polar/organic solvent (acetone), not polar water.}
The 'like dissolves like' principle governs solvent selection. Polar solvents dissolve polar solutes; non-polar solvents dissolve non-polar solutes. This is why different cleaning tasks require different solvents.

About Solvent

The substance in a solution that does the dissolving, typically present in the larger amount.

Learn more about Solvent →

More Solvent Examples

Example 1 easy

Why is water called the 'universal solvent'?

Example 2 medium

Explain 'like dissolves like' using the example of oil and water versus oil and hexane.

Example 3 easy

In a solution of ethanol and water where water is [formula] by volume, which is the solvent?

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