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Difficulty: MediumPhysical and Chemical Properties of Acids and Bases

Hydrogen chloride gas (HClHCl) dissolved in anhydrous methylbenzene turns blue litmus paper red and conducts an electric current. Is this statement true or false?

Answer: Answer

Answer

The statement is False. Hydrogen chloride dissolved in anhydrous methylbenzene does not ionize and therefore does not show acidic properties or conduct electricity.
The statement is false because hydrogen chloride (HClHCl) exists purely as un-ionized covalent molecules in non-polar solvents like methylbenzene. Water or another polar solvent is strictly required for HClHCl to dissociate into hydroxonium ions (H3O+H_3O^+) and chloride ions (Cl−Cl^-), which are responsible for changing indicator colors and conducting electricity.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the nature of the solvent and solute interaction.
Methylbenzene is a non-polar organic solvent, while HClHCl is a covalent compound.
Acids display acidic behavior only when ionized into hydrogen ions (H+H^+ / H3O+H_3O^+), which requires a polar solvent such as water.
2
Determine the state of HClHCl in non-polar methylbenzene.
HClHCl remains as un-ionized covalent molecules in methylbenzene.
Non-polar solvents cannot stabilize the separated H+H^+ and Cl−Cl^- ions via solvation.
3
Evaluate the chemical and physical observations.
Without free H+H^+ ions, blue litmus paper remains blue. Without mobile ions, the solution cannot conduct electricity.
Acidic indicators and electrical conductivity both depend directly on the presence of mobile ions in solution.

Key Concept

Role of Water in Acidic Properties and Ionization
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Topics

Physical and Chemical Properties of Acids and Bases

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