Question

Compare the solubilities of alcohols, phenols, ethers and hydrocarbons

Answer 1

Alcohols and phenols are soluble in water due to their ability to form hydrogen bond with water molecule. The solubility decreases with increase in the size of alkyl or aryl group due to their hydropho-phobic nature.
ETHER-Because hydrogen bonds can't form between the molecules in the ether, the boiling point of this compound is lower than the corresponding alcohol. But, they can't act as hydrogen-bond donors. As a result, ethers are less likely to be soluble in water than the alcohol with the same molecular weight.
HYDROCARBONS-
Polar substances are likely to dissolve in polar solvents. Ionic compounds, which are very polar, are often soluble in the polar solvent water but nonpolar molecular substances, like hydrocarbons, are likely to be insoluble in water.