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AAT Bioquest

What are polar solvents?

Posted May 29, 2024


Answer

Polar solvents have molecules with an uneven distribution of charge meaning they have regions of partial positive and partial negative charge. These solvents dissolve polar solutes. These solvents are also characterized by the presence of bonds between atoms with significantly different electronegativities, such as the bonds between oxygen and hydrogen in molecules like water. They also possess large dipole moments. 

Additional resources

Polar Protic? Polar Aprotic? Nonpolar? All About Solvents

Chemical Reagents