Q31. Explain why low molecular mass alcohols are soluble in water.
Solution The solubility of alcohols and phenols in water is due to their ability to form hydrogen bonds with the water molecule. The hydrocarbon part methoxymethane (i.e., R group) tends to prevent the formation of hydrogen bonds. Alcohols with lower molar mass will have smaller hydrocarbon part and therefore tends to form hydrogen bonding is more and they are more soluble in water. CH3CH2OHMore soluble>CH3CH2CH2OHLess soluble
