Question

Describe the basic structure of hydrocarbon and explain why these molecules are hydrophobic

Answer 1

Hydrocarbons = Molecules containing only carbon and hydrogen
- Are major components of fossil fuels produced from the organic remains of organisms
living millions of years ago, though they are not prevalent in living organisms.
- Have a diversity of carbon skeletons which produce molecules of various lengths and
shapes.
- As in hydrocarbons, a carbon skeleton is the framework for the large diverse organic
molecules found in living organisms. Also, some biologically important molecules may have
regions consisting of hydrocarbon chains (e.g. fats).
- Hydrocarbon chains are hydrophobic because the C-C and C-H bonds are nonpolar.

Answer 2

To become hydrophilic, you would need polarity (a plus and minus end to a molecule structure). Hydrogen and carbon follows the octet rule (8 valence electrons in outer shell, except the first shell which only need 2)

If the molecule doesnt have a element that draws electrons towards it ( F,O,N,Cl, I, Br, -NO2, carbonyls, etc etc) then most likely its non-polar, like hydrocarbon.