Question

How do covalent bonds dissolve in water?

Answer 1

In order to find how covalent bond will dissolve in water, we must first have an idea about what a covalent bond is. Covalent bond is a type of chemical bond which is formed by the mutual sharing of electrons between two atoms.

Complete step by step answer:
- Let us first understand what a covalent bond is. Covalent bond is said to be a type of chemical bond which is formed by mutual sharing of the electrons between two atoms. The atoms will undergo mutual sharing of electrons between them in order to attain a stable electronic configuration.
- We have to remember that not all covalent bonds will dissolve in water. Only some covalent bonds will dissolve. The molecules which are covalent are attracted to one another by various forces such as the dipole-dipole forces, London dispersion force and H-bond. When a covalent bond is dissolved in water, it will break into molecules and not as an individual atom. Water is said to be a polar solvent. Covalent bonds which are polar can only be dissolved in water. Non polar covalent bonds usually do not dissolve in water. Covalent molecules which contain highly electronegative elements such as Nitrogen or Oxygen can be dissolved in water because when it combines with the water molecules, it can form a Hydrogen bond. For example, the ethanol and sugar can be dissolved in the water molecules because it contains an O-H group and it can form hydrogen bonds with the water molecules.

Note: We have to note that certain molecules like hexane, which is a hydrocarbon do not dissolve in water because it has a very weak intermolecular force. Therefore, it will attach with the water molecule a very little or not at all. Hence this is the reason for the hexane to be not soluble in water.