Alcohol is more soluble in water when compared to alkanes due to formation of

Hydrogen bond

The correct answer is Option (3) → Hydrogen bond

Alcohols (R-OH) are more soluble in water than corresponding alkanes (R-H) of similar molecular weight because the -OH group in alcohols can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.

• The oxygen in the hydroxyl group is partially negative (δ⁻) and can accept hydrogen bonds from water.
• The hydrogen of the -OH group is partially positive (δ⁺) and can donate a hydrogen bond to the oxygen of water.

This strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding allows alcohols to mix well with water (especially lower alcohols like methanol, ethanol, and propanol, which are miscible).

Alkanes lack polar groups or hydrogen-bonding capability, so they interact with water only through weak van der Waals forces, making them insoluble or poorly soluble.

The other options are incorrect:

• Covalent bond: No new covalent bonds form during dissolution.
• Ionic bond: Alcohols are molecular compounds, not ionic.
• Peptide bond: This is a specific amide linkage in proteins, unrelated to alcohol solubility.

Thus, hydrogen bonding is the key factor responsible for the higher solubility of alcohols in water.