Question

Give an explanation for each of following:

(a) Methanol is soluble in water but ethane is not.

(b) Propanol is soluble in water but butyl methyl ether is slightly soluble.

Short answer

(a) Methanol is soluble because of $-OH$group and ethane have not alcoholic group.

(b) Propanol is soluble because explanation is given below.

Step-by-step solution

Part (a) Step 1: Given Information

We need to give the explanation of given statement.

Part (b) Step 2: Explanation

Methanol is an alcohol containing only one carbon atom. Hence, methanol is soluble in water. Ethane, which is an alkane does not contains any polar group that can form hydrogen bond with Water. that's why it is not dissolved in water.

Part (b) Step 1: Given Information

We need to give the explanation of given statement.

Part (b) Step 2: Explanation

Propanol $-OH$ groups saturated with an extra hydrocarbon link ($C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}C{H}_{2}OH$). The $-OH$group at the end is the polar bit that allows the otherwise non-polar groups to be soluble in water, while butyl methyl ether can form hydrogen bonds to water, the oxygen group is attracted to partially positive hydrogen bonds, since making them more soluble in water than alkanes.