Question

Explain the following behaviours.
(i) Alcohols are more soluble in water than the hydrocarbons of comparable molecular masses.
(ii) Ortho-nitrophenol is more acidic than ortho-methoxyphenol.

Answer 1

i) Due to the formation of hydrogen bonds by alcohols with water molecules alcohols are more soluble in water than the hydrocarbons of comparable molecular masses.

ii) Nitro group is electron withdrawing group in ortho-nitro phenol which decreases electron density on OH group and makes phenol to donate a proton easily thats why it is more acidic where as, methoxy group is methoxy pheno which is electron donating group which increases electron density on OH group and decreases acidic nature.

So, ortho-nitrophenol is more acidic than ortho- methoxyphenol.