describe the process by which the ionic compound, LiCI, would dissolve in the polar solvent, CH3COCH3

1 answer

The process of dissolving the ionic compound LiCl in the polar solvent CH3COCH3 involves several steps:

1. As CH3COCH3 is a polar solvent, it consists of molecules with a partial positive charge on the carbon atom and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom.

2. When LiCl is added to CH3COCH3, the solvent molecules surround the Li+ and Cl- ions due to their opposite charges.

3. The partial positive charge of the CH3COCH3 molecules is attracted to the Cl- ion, while the partial negative charge is attracted to the Li+ ion.

4. As a result, the CH3COCH3 molecules create an electrostatic interaction with the ions, known as ion-dipole interactions.

5. These ion-dipole interactions weaken the strong attractions between the Li+ and Cl- ions in the solid lattice of LiCl, causing the ions to separate from each other.

6. The Li+ ions become surrounded by the oxygen atoms of the CH3COCH3 molecules, while the Cl- ions become surrounded by the carbon atoms of the CH3COCH3 molecules.

7. This process continues until all the Li+ and Cl- ions are dissociated from the solid lattice and surrounded by the CH3COCH3 molecules.

8. The resulting solution consists of dispersed Li+ and Cl- ions throughout the CH3COCH3 solvent, creating an ionic solution.

In summary, when LiCl is added to the polar solvent CH3COCH3, the solvent's polarity allows it to interact with the ions, weakening their attractions within the solid lattice, and causing the ions to separate and dissolve in the solvent, forming an ionic solution.