Question:
Amongst the following compounds, identify which are insoluble, partially soluble and highly soluble in water? (i) phenol (ii) toluene (iii) formic acid (iv) ethylene glycol (v) chloroform (vi) pentanol.
Answer:
(i) Phenol has the polar group -OH and non-polar group -C6H5. Thus, phenol is partially soluble in water.
(ii) Toluene has no polar groups. Thus, toluene is insoluble in water.
(iii) Formic acid has the polar group -OH and can form H-bond with water. Thus, formic acid is highly soluble in water.
(iv) Ethylene glycol has polar -OH group and can form H-bond. Thus, it is highly soluble in water.
(v) Chloroform has no polar groups. So it is insoluble in water.
(vi) Pentanol has polar -OH group, but it also has a very bulky non-polar -C5H11 group. Thus, pentanol is partially (very less) soluble in water.
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