Sodium benzoate is a polar compound, and its solubility in solvents depends on the polarity of the solvent. Here’s an overview of its solubility in both polar and nonpolar solvents:
Solubility in Polar Solvents:
Water: Sodium benzoate is highly soluble in water. This is because sodium benzoate is an ionic compound, and water, being a polar solvent, effectively dissolves ionic substances. The high dielectric constant of water helps to stabilize the ions, leading to good solubility.
Approximate Solubility: 60-70 g/100 mL at room temperature.
Ethanol: Sodium benzoate has moderate solubility in ethanol, which is also a polar solvent but less polar than water. Ethanol can dissolve some ionic compounds, including sodium benzoate, due to its ability to hydrogen bond.
Approximate Solubility: ~12 g/100 mL at room temperature.
Methanol: Methanol is similar to ethanol in polarity but slightly more polar. Sodium benzoate is soluble in methanol, though not as soluble as in water.
Approximate Solubility: Slightly higher than in ethanol, around ~23 g/100 mL at room temperature.
Solubility in Non-Polar Solvents:
Hexane, Benzene, Toluene: Sodium benzoate is virtually insoluble in nonpolar solvents like hexane, benzene, and toluene. This is because nonpolar solvents do not interact effectively with the ionic sodium benzoate molecules, leading to very low or negligible solubility.
Approximate Solubility: Practically insoluble.
Summary:
Highly Soluble in: Polar solvents like water.
Moderately Soluble in: Less polar solvents like ethanol and methanol.
Insoluble in: Nonpolar solvents like hexane, benzene, and toluene.