What are polar and non polar solvents?
The vast majority of chemical reactions are performed in solution. The solvent fulfills several functions during a chemical reaction. It solvates the reactans and reagents so that they dissolve. This facilitates collisions between the reactant(s) and reagents that must occur in order to transform the reactant(s) to product(s). The solvent also provides a means of temperature control, either to increase the energy of the colliding particles so that they will react more quickly, or to absorb heat that is generated during an exothermic reaction. The selection of an appropriate solvent is guided by theory and experience. Generally a good solvent should meet the following criteria. It should be inert to the reaction conditions. It should dissolve the reactants and reagents. It should have an appropriate boiling point. It should be easily removed at the end of the reaction. The second criterion invokes the adage “Like dissolves like”. Non-polar reactants will dissolve in non-polar solvents.
