Biochemistry - Water, pH and Macromolecules - Discussion

Thanks @Patrick.

Thanks @Patrick.

Yeah, thanks @Patrick.

I agree with your answer, thanks @Patrick.

The alcohol that is going to me MOST soluble is going to be the alcohol with the SHORTEST hydrocarbon chain. To understand this question conceptually, you have to think in terms of chemistry.

Water contains a partially negative charge on the oxygen, and a partially positive charge on the hydrogen, making water polar. These partial charges are what cause water to interact with other partially charged molecules; such as the hydroxyl group on an alcohol, to form hydrogen bonds. But the longer the hydrocarbon chain, the less water is going to have interacted with on the molecule.

In terms of electronegativity, carbon and hydrogen are nearly identical making them from very nonpolar bonds (so the is essentially no "tugging" on e-,or dipole moments). Remember water is polar, and that is why long hydrocarbon chains are essential for the lipid bilayers within cell membranes to form a barrier between a cells interior and environment.

All are the soluble in water but methanol is most soluble in water for others.

More carbon less polar.

More carbon less polar.

SOLUBILITY DEPENDS ON THE CARBON NUMBER MORE CARBON NUMBER LESS SOLUBILITY VICE VERSA.

The longer the carbon chain of the alcohol, the less soluble it is in polar solvents.