Question

Which among the following is not a characteristic of alcohols?

• A. Alcohols are polar molecules due to presence of -OH group.
• B. Lower members of alcohols are insoluble in water as well as in organic solvents.
• C. Boiling point of alcohols increases with increase in their molecular mass.
• D. Methanol is toxic liquid.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Lower members of alcohols are insoluble in water as well as in organic solvents.

Answer 2

In general, lower members of alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, and propanol, are actually soluble in water due to the presence of the polar -OH group. They can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, making them miscible or soluble in water. However, solubility may decrease as the carbon chain length increases. Higher alcohols, with longer carbon chains, may become less soluble in water and more soluble in organic solvents.
So, option (B) is the correct answer.