Answer to Question #87818 in Organic Chemistry for Bronwyn Pophal

Question

Which compound is less soluble in water? Explain your answer.

Compounds are Alkane, Alcohol, Carboxyllic and Ethers

Answer 1

Polar molecules are well dissolved in polar solvent. Water is a polar solvent. Alcohol, carboxylic acids and ethers are polar molecules, they will be well dissolved in water, moreover alcohol and carboxylic acids can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules what increases their solubility in water. On the other side alkanes are very sligthy polar ( alkanes are even considered to be nonpolar), they will hardly dissolve in water.