Nonpolar solvents are liquids that do not have a significant electrical charge, meaning they do not mix well with water. They are often used to dissolve nonpolar substances, such as oils and fats, because their molecular structure allows them to interact effectively with similar nonpolar molecules. Common examples of nonpolar solvents include hexane, benzene, and toluene.
These solvents are important in various applications, including chemical reactions, extractions, and cleaning processes. Due to their nonpolar nature, they are less effective at dissolving ionic or polar compounds, such as salts and sugars, which require polar solvents like water for dissolution.