Question

Alcohols (ROH) are structurally similar to water. However, they are not as a powerful solvent as water for ionic compounds. Discuss

Answer 1

Answer:

Alcohols (ROH) are structurally similar to water. However, they are ... Alcohols (ROH) are structurally similar to water. However, they are not as a powerful solvent as water for ionic compounds.

Answer 2

The difference in solvency is explained below

Alcohols are marked by the presence of OH group similar to water, but differ in pesence of alkyl group in place of hydrogen in water.

This alkyl group causes positive inductive effect, attracting the electron towards itself and hence decreasing the polarity of alcohol. Increase in alkyl group increases the inductive effect.

The absence of alkyl goup in water, helps it to become the better and more powerful solvent.