Question

What is the increasing order of solubility of the following in water?
$CH_{3}OH (I), HOCH_{2}CH_{2}OH (II), CH_{3}—CH(OH)—CH_{2}OH$
$ (III), HOCH_{2} —\underset{\overset{|}{OH}}{CH}—CH_{2}OH(IV)$

• A. $I < II < III < IV$
• B. $IV< III< II < I$
• C. $I < III < II < IV$
• D. $IV < II < III < I$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Greater the number of hydroxyl groups, greater the solubility in water. Between $(II)$ and $(III), (III)$ is slightly less soluble due to greater hydrophobic alkyl fraction.