* Polarity: Sodium bicarbonate is an ionic compound, meaning it has a strong polar character due to the positive sodium ion (Na⁺) and the negative bicarbonate ion (HCO₃⁻). Diethyl ether, on the other hand, is a nonpolar solvent.
* "Like dissolves like": This principle states that substances with similar polarities tend to dissolve in each other. Since sodium bicarbonate is polar and diethyl ether is nonpolar, they are not compatible and will not mix significantly.
Therefore, you would not expect sodium bicarbonate to dissolve in diethyl ether.
