Why carboxylic acids are typically more water soluble than hydrocarbons of similar molecular weight?
1 answer
Carboxylic acids contain a hydrophilic carboxyl functional group (-COOH) that can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, making them more soluble in water. In contrast, hydrocarbons only contain nonpolar carbon-hydrogen bonds, which cannot interact with water molecules to the same extent. The presence of the polar carboxyl group in carboxylic acids increases their polarity and ability to form hydrogen bonds with water, thereby enhancing their solubility in water compared to hydrocarbons of similar molecular weight.