Chapter 22, Problem 38A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason for alcohol molecules having higher solubility in water than ether with same molecular mass needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

Polar molecules dissolve in polar solvents. Also, hydrogen bonding between the given compound and water molecules results in the increase in solubility of compound in water.

Answer to Problem 38A

Alcohol is more soluble in water than ether due to hydrogen bonding.

Explanation of Solution

Let’s take ether and alcohol with same molecular mass as follows:

and

The solubility of compound depends on the its polarity and hydrogen bonding. Due to the presence of O atom attached to C atom in ether and H atom in alcohol, both the compounds are polar in nature.

Since, water is a polar compound thus, polar molecules will be soluble in it. Therefore, both ether and alcohol will be soluble in water.

Here, the ether is dimethylether and alcohol is ethanol thus, the interaction between these molecules and water is represented as follows:

Now, due to the presence of H atom bonded to O atom (electronegative) the alcohol will form hydrogen bonds with water.

This makes alcohols to be more soluble in water as compared to ether.

Conclusion

Thus, alcohol is more soluble in water than ether due to hydrogen bonding.