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Chemistry alevel alcohols

Mf1999

I really need help with this question I don't understand it at all :
Why is propane-1,2,3-triol more soluble in water than propan-1-ol?

Reply 1

h3rmit

What can hydroxyl groups do with with water?

Reply 2

AnimeFreak101

Original post by Mf1999

I really need help with this question I don't understand it at all :
Why is propane-1,2,3-triol more soluble in water than propan-1-ol?

This is because it has more -OH groups which can form hydrogen bonds with water.

Reply 3

ProbablyJade

Original post by Mf1999

I really need help with this question I don't understand it at all :
Why is propane-1,2,3-triol more soluble in water than propan-1-ol?

The oxygen in the alcohol is more electronegative than say carbon and hydrogen bonds. In propane-1,2,3-triol there are 3 oxygens, but there is only 1 oxygen in propan-1-ol. This means propane-1,2,3-triol is more polar, and since water is polar there are greater interactions between the bonds, making it more soluble.

Reply 4

h3rmit

Original post by ProbablyJade

Propan-1.2,3-triol has more polar regions, more polar alone would imply a more electronegative element and hydrogen, or a more electropositive element and oxygen