Question

Are alcohols soluble in water?

Answer 1

The solubility of alcohols in water id affected by following factors-

1. Hydrogen bonding - Alcohols form hydrogen bonds with water and they are relatively soluble in water. The hydroxyl group in alcohol is known as hydrophilic (water-loving) which forms hydrogen bonds with water making it soluble.
2. Molecular weight - Alcohols with lower molecular weights like methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol etc. are all miscible in water. But alcohols with higher molecular weights are less miscible in water because as the weight increases the hydrocarbon part which is hydrophobic(water-hating) becomes larger making it less miscible.