Nonpolar solvents
Nonpolar solvents such as the hydrocarbons are unable to reduce the attraction between the ions of strong and weak electrolytes because of the solvents' low dielectric constants. Nor can the solvents break covalent bonds and ionize weak electrolytes, because they belong to the group known as aprotic solvents, and they cannot form hydrogen bridges with nonelectrolytes. Hence, ionic and polar solutes are not soluble or are only slightly soluble in nonpolar solvents.
Nonpolar solvents, however, can dissolve nonpolar solutes with similar internal pressures through induced dipole interactions. The solute molecules are kept in solution by the weak Van Der Waals (London type) forces. Thus, oils and fats dissolve in carbon tetrachloride, benzene, and mineral oil. Alkaloidal bases and fatty acids also dissolve in nonpolar solvents
Semi polar solvents
Semipolar solvents, such as ketones and alcohols, can induce a certain degree of polarity in nonpolar solvent molecules, so that, for example, benzene, which is readily polarizable. becomes soluble in alcohol. In fact, semipolar compounds can act as intermediate solvents to bring about miscibility of polar and nonpolar liquids. Accordingly, acetone increases the solubility of ether in water. Propylene glycol has been shown to increase the mutual solubility of water and peppermint oil and of water and benzyl benzoate.
Solubility of gases in liquids
Pharmaceutical solutions of gases include hydrochloric acid, ammonia water, and effervescent preparations containing carbon dioxide that are dissolved and maintained in solution under positive pressure. Aerosols products in which the propellant is either carbon dioxide or nitrogen can be also be considered to fall in this group. The solubility of gas in liquid depends primarily on the pressure, temperature, presence of salts, and chemical reactions that the gas sometimes undergoes with the solvent.
Effect of pressure
The pressure of gas above the solution is an important factor in gaseous solutions because it changes the solubility of the dissolved gas in equilibrium with it. The effect of the pressure on the solubility of a gas is expressed by Henry¢s law, which states that in a very dilute solution at constant temperature, the concentration of dissolved gas is proportional to the partial pressure of the gas above the solution at equilibrium.
Effect of temperature
Temperature also has a marked influence on the solubility of a gas in a liquid. As the temperature increases, the solubility of most gases decreases, due to the greater tendency of the gas to expand. The property of expansion, coupled with the pressure phenomena, requires that the pharmacist exercise caution in opening containers of gaseous solutions in warm climates and under other conditions of elevated temperatures.
A vessel containing gaseous solution or a liquid with high vapor pressure, such as ethyl nitrate, should be immersed in ice or cold water for some time to reduce the temperature and pressure of the gas before opening the container.
Salting out
Gases are often liberated from solutions in which they are dissolved by the introduction of an electrolyte such as sodium chloride and sometimes by a nonelectrolyte such as sucrose. This phenomenon is known as salting out. The resultant escape of gas is due to the attraction of the salt ions or the highly polar nonelectrolyte for the water molecules, which reduces the density of the aqueous environment adjacent to the gas molecules. Salting out can also occur in solutions of liquids in liquids and solids in liquids.
Effect of chemical reaction
Henry's law applies strictly to gases that are only slightly soluble in solution and that do not react in any way in the solvent. Gases such as hydrogen chloride, ammonia, and carbon dioxide show deviations as a result of chemical reaction between the gas and solvent, usually with a resultant increase in solubility. Accordingly, hydrogen chloride is about 10,000 times more soluble in water than is oxygen.