In terms of physical properties, how do alcohols compare to alkanes?

Alcohols are more polar than alkanes due to the presence of the hydroxyl (-OH) functional group, which is responsible for alcohols' polar characteristics. The oxygen atom in the hydroxyl group is more electronegative than the carbon and hydrogen atoms, creating a partial negative charge around the oxygen and a partial positive charge around the hydrogen. This polarity leads to stronger intermolecular forces, specifically hydrogen bonding, making alcohols soluble in water and contributing to their higher boiling points compared to alkanes.

Alkanes, in contrast, consist of only carbon and hydrogen and are non-polar because the differences in electronegativity between these two atoms are minimal. Consequently, they do not engage in hydrogen bonding and exhibit weaker van der Waals forces, leading to lower boiling points and limited solubility in polar solvents like water.

This distinction in polarity is crucial for understanding the physical behaviors of these compounds in various chemical contexts.