Rutgers Organic Chemistry Laboratory Practice Exam

Calcium chloride is a commonly used drying agent in organic reactions due to its strong hygroscopic properties, which means it readily absorbs moisture from the surrounding environment. In organic chemistry, after a reaction, it’s often necessary to remove excess water to drive the reaction to completion or to prepare the product for further purification. Calcium chloride can effectively bind water molecules, allowing an organic solvent or product to become drier.

In contrast, sodium bicarbonate is typically used to neutralize acids rather than as a drying agent; sodium hydroxide is a strong base and can react with organic compounds; and acetic acid is an organic solvent and acid, not a drying agent. Thus, calcium chloride's ability to absorb water makes it the ideal choice among the options provided for drying organic solvents or mixtures.