Question Detail
Question
Which of these hydrocarbons are most likely to be soluble in water?
Correct Answer
Option D is the correct answer.
Detailed Explanation
Acetylene (ethyne) is slightly more polarizable and has a small, linear structure. While hydrocarbons are generally nonpolar, acetylene has a small degree of polarity due to the sp-hybridized carbon and acidic hydrogen, making it slightly more soluble than other hydrocarbons. Among the options, it is the most soluble in water.
Hint
Smaller, more polarizable molecules with triple bonds can have slight interactions with water.