hydrophobic

Hydrophobic, meaning 'water avoiding', molecules exhibit orientation toward, or solution in, uncharged media (such as oils). This condition is opposite to hydrophilic. A hydrophobic molecule, or the hydrophobic moiety of an amphipathic molecule is typically uncharged and is not capable of hydrogen bonding. Its lack of an electrical charge enables it to dissolve more readily in oil or other hydrophobic, nonpolar solvents than in water or polar media. Hydrophilic molecules are also termed polar molecules, and hydrophobic molecules are termed nonpolar molecules.

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