Q.12.60 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Which of the following aldehydes or ketones are soluble in water? 

a. 

b.

c.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The compounds that are soluble in water are a and b.

Step 1: Part (a) Given Information

The given compound is

Step 2: Part (a) Explanation

The given compound is a ketone.

• Aldehydes and ketones are soluble in water.
• The solubility depends upon the length of an alkyl chain.
• More the length of an alkyl chain, the lesser will be the solubility in water.
• Since butanone is a ketone having three carbon atoms chains. Thus, it is soluble in water as it has a shorter length of the alkyl chain.

Step 2: Part (b) Given Information

The given compound is 

Step 2: Part (b) Explanation

The given compound is an aldehyde.

• Aldehydes and ketones are soluble in water.
• The solubility depends upon the length of an alkyl chain.
• More the length of an alkyl chain, the lesser will be the solubility in water.
• Since acetaldehyde is an aldehyde having two carbon atoms chains. Thus, it is soluble in water as it has a shorter length of the alkyl chain.

Step 1: Part (c) Given information

The given compound is:

Step 2: part (c) Explanation

The given compound is an aldehyde.

• Aldehydes and ketones are soluble in water.
• The solubility depends upon the length of an alkyl chain.
• More the length of an alkyl chain, the lesser will be the solubility in water.
• Since 4-methyl-hexanal is an aldehyde having six carbon atoms chains. Thus, it is not soluble in water due to the long length of the alkyl chain.