Question

The main reason for the extremely low solubility of carbon dioxide in benzene $\left(C_6{H}_6\right)$ at room temperature is due to which of the following?

• A. The increased disorder due to mixing of the solute and solvent.
• B. The relatively low strength of the intermolecular forces between carbon dioxide and benzene.
• C. The strong hydrogen bonding in benzene.
• D. The weak solvation of carbon and oxygen ions by benzene.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

The relatively low strength of the intermolecular forces between carbon dioxide and benzene.

As $C{O}_2$ is a polar compound.

Benzene is non-polar compound.

Like dissolves like, i.e. Polar dissolves polar because the intermolecular force between polar-polar molecules are strong.

Thus the intermolecular force between non polar and polar molecule is weak.

Therefore, $C{O}_2$ has low solubility in benzene.