What properties of water make it useful as a solvent? What types of compounds can it $(i)$ dissolve and $(ii)$ hydrolyse?

(N/A) Water is a polar molecule with a high dielectric constant ($78.39$ at $298 \ K$),which allows it to dissolve ionic compounds by weakening the electrostatic forces between ions. It also forms hydrogen bonds with polar covalent molecules,enabling the dissolution of substances like alcohols and carbohydrates.
$(i)$ Water dissolves ionic compounds (e.g.,$NaCl$) and polar covalent compounds (e.g.,glucose,ethanol) through ion-dipole and hydrogen bonding interactions.
$(ii)$ Water hydrolyses many covalent and ionic compounds,such as metal oxides,non-metal oxides,and halides. For example,$P_4O_{10} + 6H_2O \rightarrow 4H_3PO_4$ and $SiCl_4 + 2H_2O \rightarrow SiO_2 + 4HCl$.