The discussion centers on identifying a non-conductive liquid that does not dissolve salt and does not mix with water. Participants suggest that non-polar solvents, such as hexane, may meet these criteria due to their inability to interact with ionic compounds. The conversation highlights the role of polar solvents in dissolving salts, emphasizing that polar solvents can disrupt ionic bonds, while non-polar solvents lack the necessary dipole moments for such interactions. The inquiry also touches on the thermodynamic principle of achieving the lowest energy state in solvation processes.
PREREQUISITESChemists, materials scientists, and anyone interested in solvent properties and ionic interactions in solutions.