Arrange the following in the increasing order of their solubility in n-octane on the basis of their solute-solvent interaction:

(A) $KCl$
(B) $CH_3OH$
(C) $CH_3CN$
(D) Cyclohexane

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(A), (B), (C), (D)

The correct answer is Option (1) → (A), (B), (C), (D)

• n-Octane is non-polar, so it dissolves non-polar substances best (“like dissolves like”).

• (A) KCl → Ionic → least soluble in non-polar solvent

• (B) CH₃OH (methanol) → Polar + hydrogen bonding → very low solubility

• (C) CH₃CN (acetonitrile) → Polar but less hydrogen bonding → slightly better than methanol

• (D) Cyclohexane → Non-polar → most soluble

The increasing order of solubility in n-octane is:
(A) KCl < (B) CH₃OH < (C) CH₃CN < (D) Cyclohexane