Which compound would you expect to be least soluble in water? Explain.

a. CCl4

b. CH3Cl

c. NH3

d. KF

Answer: a. CCl4 aka carbon tetrachloride

Explanation:

ionic compounds and polar molecules can be dissolved in water which is a polar solvent.

choice d (KF) is a salt (an ionic compound) and can be dissolved in water / (K + and F - ions would be formed in water).

choice c (NH3 or ammonia) is a very polar molecule and thus can be dissolved in water (Hydrogen bonding).

choice b (CH3Cl) is slightly polar because the atoms surrounding the central carbon atom are different (3 H atoms and 1 chlorine atom) and can be dissolved in water (Dipole-dipole interaction).

choice a is nonpolar and cannot be dissolved in water.