30/05/2026
Solvents are substances used to dissolve reactants and provide a medium for chemical reactions. The choice of solvent greatly affects the reaction rate, mechanism, selectivity, and stability of intermediates in organic chemistry. Solvents are broadly classified into polar aprotic, polar protic, chlorinated, ether, and hydrocarbon solvents.
Polar aprotic solvents such as DMSO, DMF, HMPA, acetone, and acetonitrile favor SN2 reactions because they stabilize ions without strongly solvating nucleophiles. Polar protic solvents like water, methanol, ethanol, and acetic acid support SN1 and E1 reactions due to hydrogen bonding and proton donation.
Ether solvents such as THF, diethyl ether, and DME are commonly used in Grignard and organolithium reactions because they stabilize organometallic reagents. Chlorinated solvents like CHCl₃ and CH₂Cl₂ are useful in halogenation and radical reactions, while hydrocarbon solvents such as benzene, toluene, hexane, and pentane are nonpolar media for hydrophobic compounds.
Proper solvent selection is essential for achieving efficient, selective, and safe chemical reactions in laboratories and industries.