When comparing acetone and ethanol regarding polarity, ethanol is the more polar solvent. The reason for this is primarily due to the molecular structure and functional groups of both compounds.
Ethanol (C2H5OH) has a hydroxyl group (-OH) that can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, making it highly polar. The presence of the electronegative oxygen atom attracts electrons, creating a dipole moment that enhances its polarity.
On the other hand, acetone (C3H6O), while also polar due to the carbonyl group (C=O), is less polar than ethanol. The molecular structure of acetone leads to a dipole moment, but it lacks the ability to form hydrogen bonds as effectively as ethanol does. Therefore, its polar characteristics are weaker.
In summary, while both solvents are polar, ethanol’s ability to hydrogen bond and its more significant dipole moment make it the more polar of the two.