Question

In a lab, you are presented with samples of propane and propanol, how would they differ (and why) with respect to solubility in water, boiling points, and states of matter (solid, liquid, or gas).

Answer 1

Answer: Propane is having formula C ₃H₈ [ CH_{​​​​​ 3}-CH₂-CH₃ ] is present in gaseous state at room temperature , since there is very weak intermolecular forces of attraction ( van Der waals dispersion forces). While propanol with chemical formula C_{​​​​​​ 3}H₇OH [ CH ₃-CH₂-CH₂-OH ] is present in liquid state at room temperature due to presence of Hydrogen-bonding intermolecular interactions.

As there is weak intermolecular interactions in propane in comparison to propanol , propane (gas) having lower boiling point (-42°c) then propanol (liquid) (97°c).

Now come to solublity ,

As water is polar , so based on the concept " like dissolves like" polar molecules are more soluble in water in comparison of non polar ones.

Theirfore as Propane is non polar so not soluble in water while propanol is polar and soluble in water.