A tincture of iodine is a solution of salute as iodine and solvent as alcohol

Introduction:

Tincture of iodine is a brownish solution that contains iodine, sodium iodide, and ethanol. It is used for disinfecting skin and wounds, and also as a reagent in chemistry experiments.

Solute and Solvent:

The solute in tincture of iodine is iodine, which is a nonpolar molecule. The solvent is ethanol, which is a polar molecule. The sodium iodide serves as a catalyst to facilitate the reaction between iodine and ethanol.

Explanation:

Tincture of iodine is made by dissolving iodine crystals in ethanol. Iodine is a nonpolar molecule, which means it is not soluble in polar solvents like water. Ethanol, on the other hand, is a polar molecule, which means it can dissolve polar and nonpolar substances. When iodine is added to ethanol, it dissolves and forms a brownish solution.

However, the reaction between iodine and ethanol is slow and incomplete. To speed up the reaction, sodium iodide is added to the solution. Sodium iodide is a salt that dissociates in water to form sodium and iodide ions. In the presence of iodide ions, the reaction between iodine and ethanol is catalyzed, resulting in the formation of triiodide ions.

The triiodide ions are responsible for the brownish color of the solution. When tincture of iodine is applied to skin or wounds, the iodine and triiodide ions act as a disinfectant, killing bacteria and other microorganisms.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, tincture of iodine is a brownish solution that contains iodine as a solute and ethanol as a solvent. The reaction between iodine and ethanol is catalyzed by sodium iodide, resulting in the formation of triiodide ions that give the solution its color. Tincture of iodine is used as a disinfectant for skin and wounds due to its antimicrobial properties.