What is a Hydrophile? Definition, Examples, and Properties

Hydrophile (from Greek "hydro" meaning water and "philos" meaning love) refers to a substance that has a strong affinity for water. In other words, it is a molecule that loves water.

Hydrophiles are typically polar molecules, meaning they have a permanent electric dipole moment. This property allows them to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, which gives them a strong attraction to water.

Examples of hydrophiles include:

1. Water itself: H2O is a hydrophile because it can form hydrogen bonds with other water molecules.
2. Sugars: Many sugars, such as glucose and sucrose, are hydrophiles because they have polar functional groups that can form hydrogen bonds with water.
3. Amino acids: Some amino acids, such as serine and threonine, are hydrophiles because they have polar side chains that can form hydrogen bonds with water.
4. Alcohols: Ethanol and other alcohols are hydrophiles because they can form hydrogen bonds with water.
5. Glycerol: Glycerol is a hydrophile because it has three hydroxyl (-OH) groups that can form hydrogen bonds with water.

In contrast, hydrophobes (from Greek "hydro" meaning water and "phobos" meaning fear) are substances that have a low affinity for water. They are typically nonpolar molecules that do not form hydrogen bonds with water. Examples of hydrophobes include oils, fats, and waxes.