Describe what happens when any of the first four alcohols are added to water.

When any of the first four alcohols – methanol, ethanol, propanol or butanol – are added to water, the alcohol molecules mix with water molecules through hydrogen bonding. Each –OH group of the alcohol forms hydrogen bonds with the –OH groups of water, creating a homogeneous solution. The alcohol remains in the liquid phase because its boiling point is higher than water’s, so it does not evaporate immediately. The resulting mixture is a clear, colourless liquid that can be used as a solvent or for further chemical reactions. The extent of mixing is greatest for the smaller alcohols, which are more miscible with water.