Content Curator
Organic solvents refer to carbon-based substances that have the capacity of dissolving one or more other substances. Organic solvents can be carcinogens, reproductive hazards, and neurotoxins. Organic solvents are used in paints, varnishes, adhesives, glues, and also in cleaning agents.
Read More: Etard reaction
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Organic Solvents, Natural Solvent, Synthetic Solvents, Chemical Compounds, molecular structure, Uses of Organic Solvents
What are Organic Solvents?
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
In our day-to-day life, organic solvents are used by everyone starting from the disinfectant treatment to the removal of tough grease stains. We use perfumes or cologne, and laundry detergents which are used to keep clothes fresh and clean, all these products contain organic solvents. These are the chemical compounds that have a carbon-based molecular structure. These are used to a great extent in dissolving material to create a solution, or to extract one material from another.
The molecular structure of an organic solvent always contains a carbon atom, and at times has hydrogen atoms.
Based on their molecular structure, these solvents are classified as natural and synthetic solvents.
- Natural solvents: These are the solvents that are produced by living organisms.
- Synthetic solvents: These solvents are produced as a result of chemical reactions that take place in various organic compounds.
Read More: Gatterman reaction
Types of Organic Solvents
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Other than natural and synthetic solvents, there are three basic types of organic solvents, which are:
- Aliphatic solvents: These organic solvents are included in the group of alkenes and do not contain benzene rings. Aliphatic solvents, which are said to be nonpolar, are made by distilling crude oil at the appropriate boiling point. They are then modified to improve their color and smell. These solvents are used in the extraction of oil, paints, dye, pharmaceuticals, and adhesives.
- Aromatic solvents: Aromatic Solvents are nonpolar like aliphatics. These, however, contain benzene ring structures like benzene, toluene, etc. These solvents have more odor than Aliphatics but due to their more solvency rate, they are better suited for industry solvents. These solvents are used in automobiles, paints, coatings pharmaceuticals, adhesives, etc. Almost 50% of aromatic solvents are required in the paints and coatings industries.
- Carbolnyls solvents: Carbonyl Solvents, unlike the above two, is polar. These contain esters and are used mainly in nail polish removers, glues, electronics cleaners, glues, circuit boards, food flavoring substances, etc.
Read Also: Classification of Organic Compounds
Properties of Organic Solvents
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Organic solvents also possess various physical and chemical properties. Some of them are given below:
- Volatility: Organic solvents are volatile. Volatile solvents are those which can vaporize. Due to the nature of volatility, organic solvents release smell when exposed to the air.
- Low boiling point: Organic solvents exhibit very low boiling points. It is due to this low boiling point, that they are highly volatile.
- Colour of Liquid: Organic solvents are colorless in nature. These are clear liquids and have lower molecular weights.
- Density: the density of the organic solvents varies widely. Some organic solvents are denser than water, and some may be less dense than water.
Properties of Organic Solvents: Colour of Liquid
Read Also:
| Articles on Related Topics of Chemistry | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mole fraction | Colligative properties | Column chromatography |
| Covalent bonds | Saturated solution | Conductors |
| Ion | Carbon and Its Compounds | Melting and Boiling Point |
Applications of Organic Solvents
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Organic solvents are used in different areas. These are used in-
- Coatings, polishes, as a paint thinner and remover (toluene),
- As cleaning agents,
- As a nail polish remover (acetone, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate),
- In industrial,
- As consumer degreasers, perfumes, spot removers, detergents,
- In various chemical syntheses and processes.
Read More: Chemical Tranquilizers
Things to Remember
- Organic solvents are chemical compounds that are composed of carbon-based molecular structures.
- These promote dehydration and reduce the dialectic constant of the medium causing an increase in electrostatic interactions.
- They contain at least one carbon atom along with some hydrogen atoms.
- In general, solvents are categorized based on their molecular structure into Natural and Synthetic Solvents.
- Lacquers, varnishes, and adhesives are some of the examples of substances that can be dissolved by organic solvents.
Sample Questions
Ques: What is meant by organic solvents? (2 marks)
Ans: In our day-to-day life, organic solvents are used by everyone starting from the disinfectant treatment to the removal of tough grease stains. We use perfumes or cologne, and laundry detergents which are used to keep clothes fresh and clean, all these products contain organic solvents. These are the chemical compounds that have a carbon-based molecular structure. These are used to a great extent in dissolving material to create a solution, or to extract one material from another.
Ques: What are the types of organic solvents? (3 marks)
Ans: There are three basic types of organic solvents, which are:
- Aliphatic solvents: These organic solvents are included in the group of alkenes and do not contain benzene rings. Aliphatic solvents, which are said to be nonpolar, are made by distilling crude oil at the appropriate boiling point. They are then modified to improve their color and smell. These solvents are used in the extraction of oil, paints, dye, pharmaceuticals, and adhesives.
- Aromatic solvents: Aromatic Solvents are nonpolar like aliphatics. These, however, contain benzene ring structures like benzene, toluene, etc. These solvents have more odor than Aliphatics but due to their more solvency rate, they are better suited for industry solvents. These solvents are used in automobiles, paints, coatings pharmaceuticals, adhesives, etc. Almost 50% of aromatic solvents are required in the paints and coatings industries.
- Carbolnyls solvents: Carbonyl Solvents, unlike the above two, is polar. These contain esters and are used mainly in nail polish removers, glues, electronics cleaners, glues, circuit boards, food flavoring substances, etc.
Ques: What is the strongest or universal solvent? (1 mark)
Ans: Water is considered to be the “universal solvent” because it can dissolve more liquids than any other liquid. For any living being on earth, water is important.
Ques: Is acetone protic or aprotic? (1 mark)
Ans: The acetone is moderately acidic, and not substantially less acidic than alcohols. Owing to their comparatively high acidity, acetone (and other carbonyl-containing solvents) are also weak solvents when used as solid bases.
Ques: Why is acetone a good solvent for fat? (2 marks)
Ans: Acetone comprises both non-polar methyl groups as well as polar carboxyl groups, therefore it can dissolve the non-polar compounds. Fat (lipids) are non-polar, therefore in acetone, fats dissolve.
Ques: What are fat solvents? (2 marks)
Ans: Fat solvents. Organic liquids are notable for their lipid-dissolving ability; usually, but not always, water-immiscible; e.g. diethyl ether, tetrachloride carbon. Synonym: nonpolar solvents.
Ques: What are the properties of organic solvents? (4 marks)
Ans: The properties of organic solvents are as follows:
- Volatility: Organic solvents are volatile. Volatile solvents are those which can vaporize. Due to the nature of volatility, organic solvents release smell when exposed to the air.
- Low boiling point: Organic solvents exhibit very low boiling points. It is due to this low boiling point, that they are highly volatile.
- Colour of Liquid: Organic solvents are colorless in nature. These are clear liquids and have lower molecular weights.
- Density: the density of the organic solvents varies widely. Some organic solvents are denser than water, and some may be less dense than water.
Ques: How can organic solvents be used or applied in our daily life? (3 marks)
Ans: Organic solvents are used in different areas. These are used in coatings, polishes, as a paint thinner and remover (toluene), as cleaning agents, as a nail polish remover (acetone, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate), as an industrial as well as consumer degreasers, perfumes, spot removers, detergents, and also in various chemical syntheses and processes.
Ques: What is THF solvent? (2 marks)
Ans: THF solvent is referred to as Tetrahydrofuran, which is a stable solvent with a low boiling point and excellent solvency. It helps in the dissolution and reaction of various substances. However, THF is a hazardous material.
Ques: What is the density of common solvents? (3 marks)
Ans: The density of the common solvents varies in a wide range. Some of them may be denser than water, or some of them may be less than water. Therefore, they might sink to the bottom or float based on the density. Some of the densities of common solvents are 1.0446 (Acetic Acid), 0.7845 (Acetone), 0.8765 (Benzene), etc.
Ques: What are the types of organic compounds based on their molecular structure? (2 marks)
Ans: Based on their molecular structure, these solvents are classified as natural and synthetic solvents.
- Natural solvents: These are the solvents that are produced by living organisms.
- Synthetic solvents: These solvents are produced as a result of chemical reactions that take place in various organic compounds.
For Latest Updates on Upcoming Board Exams, Click Here: https://t.me/class_10_12_board_updates
Check-Out:
Comments