Aqueous NaOH is a strong base and can dissolve compounds that either have acidic hydrogen atoms (like carboxylic acids or phenols) or can form salts with the hydroxide ion. Now let's analyze the solubility of each compound: - (A) Benzene: Benzene is nonpolar and does not react with NaOH, so it is not soluble in NaOH. - (B) Phenol: Phenol contains an -OH group attached to a benzene ring, which is slightly acidic. Phenol is soluble in NaOH because it forms a phenoxide ion. - (C) Toluene: Toluene is a methylated benzene, which is nonpolar, and it does not react with NaOH, so it is not soluble. - (D) Aniline: Aniline contains an -NH2 group attached to a benzene ring. The amine group is basic, but it does not react with NaOH to form a soluble compound. It is not soluble in NaOH. - (E) Phenol: As stated above, phenol is soluble in NaOH. - (F) Benzoic acid: Benzoic acid contains a carboxyl group (-COOH), which is acidic. It reacts with NaOH to form sodium benzoate, making it soluble in NaOH. - (G) Benzoic acid: As mentioned, benzoic acid is soluble in NaOH. - (H) Aniline: As stated earlier, aniline is not soluble in NaOH. Thus, the compounds that are soluble in NaOH are: - (B) Phenol - (E) Phenol - (F) Benzoic acid - (G) Benzoic acid Therefore, the correct answer is 6 compounds are soluble in NaOH. (C) 6.
