Solubility of alkanols in water

  • Thread starter Thread starter ioioio7777
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Solubility Water
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The solubility of propan-1-ol and propan-2-ol in water is influenced by their molecular structure and hydrogen bonding capabilities. Propan-1-ol, with one alkyl group, exhibits greater hydrogen bonding potential compared to propan-2-ol, which has two electron-donating alkyl groups that hinder water accessibility. Both propanols are soluble in water in all proportions, but the structural differences lead to variations in solubility behavior. Additionally, trends indicate that more highly branched alkanols, such as pentanols, demonstrate increased solubility compared to their extended chain isomers.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of hydrogen bonding and molecular polarity
  • Knowledge of alkyl group effects on solubility
  • Familiarity with the properties of alcohols and their structural variations
  • Basic concepts of solvation and solvent effects
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the solubility trends of pentanols in water
  • Explore the impact of molecular branching on alcohol solubility
  • Study the role of hydrogen bonding in solvent interactions
  • Investigate the effects of temperature on the solubility of alcohols
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, organic chemists, and researchers interested in the solubility properties of alcohols and their molecular interactions with water.

ioioio7777
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Is propan-1-ol more soluble than propan-2-ol in water?
Propan-2-ol has 2 alkyl group, which is electron donating.
Since the formation of H-bonding is due to the elecrionegativity difference of O atom and H atom is the hydroxl group. I think think that the O atom in propan-2-ol can gain electrons from two alkyl groups while propan-1-ol can gain electrons from one alkyl group only and thus the ability of propan-1-ol to form H-bonding is greater than that of propan-2-ol.

Sorry for my poor English and thanks a lot
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
But another factor is accessibility to water which is less for propan-2-ol, so that factor is in the opposite direction. Around hydrophobic (-CH3) groups water takes up a more structured form, more like ice and less able to form the H-bonds.

Which effect is more important? My sense is that solvent effects are always more important. I can't justify this sense so let's wait see if anyone who knows what he's talking about happens along.

But these are sorts of things you have to think about or find out about. Not enough to be looking at just one molecule but have a sense of the solution. Or rather, the solution versus the separate bulk liquids. Not easy.
 
Last edited:
Both of those propanols are soluble in water in all proportions.
 
chemisttree said:
Both of those propanols are soluble in water in all proportions.

Now I remember. :biggrin:

However there would be some number of carbon atoms and some temperature at which the question would arise?
 
Probably better to talk about pentanols or 5-carbon alcohols. There are definite trends. More highly branched alkanols are more soluble than the extended chain isomers.
 
chemisttree said:
Probably better to talk about pentanols or 5-carbon alcohols. There are definite trends. More highly branched alkanols are more soluble than the extended chain isomers.

I said it was not easy. :biggrin:

Can you say why that tendency is?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
11K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
879
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K