Why is isopropyl alcohol polar?

1 Answer
Nov 10, 2015

Because it contains hydroxyl group

Explanation:

Polarity is separation of charge. In a polar molecule the electronegativity of the atoms will be different,meaning
The polar molecule will have slight positive charge on one side and a slight negative charge on the other. Taking isopropyl alcohol as example: it contains hydroxyl group, the electrons in the atoms tend to spend more time near the electronegative oxygen "it will have slight negtive charge" leaving the carbon and hydrogen with slight positive charge thus rendering the compound polar.