Question

You have developed a promising anti-cancer agent, but it has poor solubility in water. Which of the following changes should improve water solubility? ( there is two possible answers)a) adding a methyl groupb) adding a hydroxyl groupc) adding a carboxyl groupd) increasing the size of the druge) adding a benzene ring

Answer 1

adding a hydroxyl group

adding a carboxyl group

Step-by-step explanation:

The addition of a hydroxyl or a carboxyl group to the molecule will increase its solubility. This is because, the -OH group will form hydrogen bonds with the water molecules. The formation of such hydrogen bonds will lead to improvement in the solubility of the anti cancer agent and solve the problem of poor solubility of the anticancer agent in water.