Alcohols are less volatile than alkanes of similar molecular mass and are more soluble (miscible) in water. This is because the O-H bond is polar due to the difference in electronegativity between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms. Therefore in addition to weak London forces, there will be stronger hydrogen bonds between the polar O-H groups.Alkanes are non-polar and cannot form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. Hydrogen bonds form between the polar OH groups and water molecules.