Question

rank the following compounds in order of increasing solubility in water. propanol, ethanol and hexanol

Answer 1

Ethanol, propanol, and hexanol all are alcohols. Since alcohols are polar, these are soluble in water. The solubility of alcohols in water depend on the size of the alkyl group of alcohols. As the alkyl group increases in size, the compound becomes less and less soluble in water.

In general, alcohols with fewer than four carbons are soluble in water, but alcohols with more than four carbons are insoluble in water.

Therefore, the order of increasing solubility in water is hexanol < propanol < ethanol.