- #1
Mazurka
- 10
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Homework Statement
"Vitamins are important chemicals for survival. Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C are three common vitamins. Simplified representations of their structures are given.
* See relevant equations.
Based on the functional groups that you can identify, which vitamins will be soluble in water? Explain your answer."
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
Through some further research, I learned that while Vitamin B6 and C are both soluble in water, Vitamin A is only fat soluble. However, my struggle rests in the explanation as to why each of these vitamins is soluble in water or fat.
Vitamins B6 and C both have a fair number of hydroxide (-OH) bonds. Perhaps solubility in this case is determined by the number of hydrogen bonds that can form between the vitamin and its surrounding water molecules? It makes sense to me. However, if that is true, Vitamin A also possesses a hydroxide bond: Vitamin A should be soluble in water, to some degree.
I have not yet been taught how to read and comprehend any other part of the illustrated structures. I can only recognize hydroxide bonds. Perhaps there is another relationship between hydroxide bonds and solubility that I overlooked?
Please take into account that I am only at an intermediate high school level of education. I will not be able to understand any explanation that requires me to have attended a grade twelve or university level of chemistry. I greatly appreciate any help that can be provided.
Thank you,
Eric.