question_answer

Carbonyl compounds are more polar than alcohols although electro negativity difference between C and O atoms is less than O and H atoms. Explain.

Answer:

                In the carbonyl group (> C = O), the \[\pi -\]electron pair is loosely held and can be readily shifted to the oxygen atom. It is not the case with the alcoholic (O-H) group. Therefore, carbonyl compounds are more polar and have higher dipole moment values (2.3 ? 2.8D) than the alcohols (1.6 ? 1.8D). For more details, consult section 13.7.