Carbonyl compounds are more polar than alcohols although electronegative difference between C and O atoms is less than O and H atoms. Explain.

Explanation

In the carbonyl group `(gtC = O)` the `pi`-electron pair is loosely held and can be readily shifted to the oxygen atom. It is not the case with the alcoholic `(O-H)` group. Therefore, carbonyl compounds are more polar and have higher dipole moment values `(2.3-2.8D)` than the alcohols `(1.6-1.8D)`. For more details, consult section 7.