How do organic solvents dissolve substances with covalent bonds?
Posted July 5th, 2010 by admin 1 Comment »
Ziggy asked:
I understand how water is able to dissolve ionic molecules, but I do not understand how organic solvents are able to dissolve substances that are bonded covalently. Are the bonds broken or is it a case of surrounding individual molecules to disrupt Van der Waal forces?
I understand how water is able to dissolve ionic molecules, but I do not understand how organic solvents are able to dissolve substances that are bonded covalently. Are the bonds broken or is it a case of surrounding individual molecules to disrupt Van der Waal forces?
Keep any answers reasonably simple please! 