Question

Explain why alcohols are soluble in water but hydrocarbons of the same size are not soluble in water. For example butanol is soluble but butane is not. Draw a diagram to aid in your explanation. (3 C)

Alcohols form H-bonds with wate

Answer 1

As alcohol is a polar solvent . It form Hydrogen Bond with water molecules while other hydrocarbons of comparable molecular masses does not form Hydrogen Bond due to being non - polar . Hence Alcohol is more soluble in water.