Question

(12.22) which compound in each of the following pairs would be more soluble in water? Explain.

A. CH3-CH2-CH3 or Ch3-Ch2-CHO

B. propanone or 3-hexanone

C. butanal or hexanal

Answer 1

Water is a polar solvent so the more polar an organic compound will be, greater will be its solubility in water. It goes as like-dissolves-like.

Thus,

A. CH3-CH2-CHO being more polar of the two compounds will be more soluble in water.

B. Propanone with shorter hydrocarbon chain will be more polar and would have greater slubility in water than 3-hexanone with longer hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain.

C. Butanal with shorter hydrocarbon chain is more polar and more soluble in water than hexanal with longer hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain.