Hydrophile
|
|
Hydrophile, from the Greek (hydros) "water" and φιλια (philia) "friendship", refers to a physical property of a molecule that can bond with water.
A hydrophilic molecule or portion of a molecule is one that typically is electrically polarized and capable of hydrogen bonding, enabling it to dissolve more readily in water than in oil or other "non-polar" solvents.
Hydrophilic molecules can establish hydrogen bonds with water molecules (H2O). This is favourable by thermodynamics and makes these molecules soluble in water.
See also
Template:Chem-stub de:Hydrophilie nl:Hydrofiel sl:Hidrofilnost