Question

Explain the reason of solubility of alcohol and phenol in water.

Hint:

Hydrogen bonding increases solubility in polar solvents like water. Short-chain alcohols are more soluble than long-chain alcohols.

Answer 1

Step 1: Role of Hydrogen Bonding Both alcohols and phenols dissolve in water due to hydrogen bonding between the \(-OH\) group and water molecules. 

Step 2: Strength of Hydrogen Bonding - Phenol has stronger hydrogen bonding due to resonance stabilization of the oxygen lone pair.
- Alcohol solubility decreases with increasing carbon chain length due to hydrophobic effects.