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Alcohols, Phenols And Ethers

Question
CBSEENCH12008148

Alcohols are comparatively more soluble in water than hydrocarbons of comparable molecular masses. Explain this fact.

Solution

Alcohols can form H- bonds with due to presence of (-OH) group and break the H-bonds already existing between water molecules. Hence they are soluble in water.

In contrast, hydrocarbon cannot form H-bonds with water and hence are insoluble in water.