Question

Predict whether van't HOff factor $\left(i\right)$ is less than one or greater than one in the following:
(i) $C{H}_{3}COOH$ dissolved in water
(ii) $C{H}_{3}COOH$ dissolved in benzene

Answer 1

• (i) When acetic acid dissolves in water, it dissociates into $C{H}_{3}CO{O}^{-}$ and $H^{+}$ ions and thus the Van't Hoff factor is greater than $1$.
• (ii) Acetic acid dimerizes when dissolved in benzene and thus the Van't Hoff factor is less than $1$.