What will sugar dissolve in besides water?

In summary, the conversation discusses the various substances that can dissolve table sugar and leave behind a residue. Methanol is mentioned as a safe option, although it can still be dangerous if ingested or in prolonged contact with skin. The conversation also mentions denatured alcohol as a potential option, although it may not dissolve sugar as effectively. The availability of methanol is also mentioned as a potential challenge.
  • #1
TalonD
182
1
Well, the tittle says it all. Other than water, what will dissolve ordinary white crystalized table sugar. Specifically something that would evaporate and leave behind the sugar as a residue. Also something that is reasonably safe to handle.
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
  • #2
there was a reply here. where did it go?
 
  • #3
Sugar is somewhat dissolvable in methanol, which is reasonably safe to handle as long as you don't drink it.
 
  • #4
alxm said:
Sugar is somewhat dissolvable in methanol, which is reasonably safe to handle as long as you don't drink it.
Correction - you don't want it in contact with your skin, either, since it can enter your body through that route.
 
  • #5
turbo-1 said:
Correction - you don't want it in contact with your skin, either, since it can enter your body through that route.

Well, that's true, but it's not at a rate that's particularly hazardous. But I did find http://occmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/42/1/47.short" of a guy who'd actually gotten methanol poisoning (from which he recovered) by that route. Pretty extreme situation though; he'd been wearing methanol-drenched clothes for hours.

But it's safe to say >99% of all methanol poisoning cases are due to ingestion, and there's no cause for worry if you just spilling some on yourself. It takes pretty significant and prolonged exposure.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #6
Methanol? I tried dissolving it in denatured alcohol but that is ethanol isn't it? It wouldn't dissolve in that at least not that I could see. How much is somewhat? I'm not sure where I can get methanol.
 
  • #7
Yes, denatured alcohol is ethanol with toxins added. The place where our lab got theirs denatured the ethanol with acetone, aviation gasoline and MEK, IIR.
 

1. Can sugar dissolve in any other liquids besides water?

Yes, sugar can dissolve in a variety of liquids besides water, including vinegar, alcohol, and oils. The solubility of sugar in a particular liquid depends on factors such as temperature and the chemical properties of the liquid.

2. Why is water commonly used to dissolve sugar?

Water is commonly used to dissolve sugar because it is a polar solvent, meaning it has a slight positive and negative charge which allows it to interact with the polar molecules in sugar and break it down into smaller particles, resulting in dissolution.

3. How does temperature affect the solubility of sugar in liquids?

Generally, an increase in temperature can increase the solubility of sugar in a liquid. This is because higher temperatures provide more energy for the sugar molecules to break apart and mix with the solvent. However, this may not be true for all liquids, as some may have different chemical properties that can affect solubility.

4. Can sugar dissolve in non-polar liquids?

No, sugar cannot dissolve in non-polar liquids such as oil or gasoline. This is because sugar is a polar molecule, meaning it has a slightly positive and negative charge, and non-polar liquids do not have the ability to interact with polar molecules.

5. How does stirring affect the dissolution of sugar in liquids?

Stirring or agitating a mixture of sugar and liquid can help to speed up the dissolution process. This is because it helps to evenly distribute the sugar particles throughout the liquid, allowing for more interaction between the sugar and the solvent, resulting in faster dissolution.

Similar threads

Replies
9
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • Chemistry
2
Replies
39
Views
3K
  • Chemistry
Replies
3
Views
7K
Replies
9
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
23
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
33
Views
70K
Back
Top