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Why are some functional groups hydrophilic?

Answer 1

Because they are highly polar, and capable of hydrogen bonding.

Polarity refers to charge separation. That is there is unequal division of positive and negative charges. Hydrogen halides, amines, alcohols, are all polar, and offer the possibility of hydrogen bonding, and water solubility. On the other hand, functionality with little polarity, e.g. #C-H# bonds are not solvated effectively by water.

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Answer 2

Santiago Alfonso

Functional groups with polar covalent bonds or containing electronegative atoms tend to be hydrophilic due to their ability to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. Examples include hydroxyl (-OH), carbonyl (C=O), and amino (-NH2) groups.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.