1. Dry hydrogen chloride was bubbled in methylbenzene and sodium
carbonate added. Explain the observations made.
(3 marks)

No reaction

Explanation:

We know an acid as a substance that produces hydrogen ions in water. Hence acids are defined with response to aqueous media.

However, methylbenzene is an organic solvent hence HCl dissolves in it but remains molecular. It does not show any acidic property. Sodium carbonate (an ionic substance) does not interact with methyl benzene because in chemistry, like dissolves like.

Hence adding dry HCl to methyl benzene and subsequently adding sodium carbonate leads to no reaction.