What type of molecules can typically solubilize in water?

Molecules that can typically solubilize in water have polar and hydrophilic functional groups. This is due to the nature of water as a polar solvent; it effectively interacts with other polar substances due to dipole-dipole interactions and hydrogen bonding. When a molecule contains polar functional groups, such as hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-COOH), or amino (-NH2) groups, it can form favorable interactions with water. These groups can either donate or accept hydrogen bonds, which enhances their solubility in an aqueous environment.

In contrast, non-polar or hydrophobic groups do not interact well with water, leading to poor solubility. This is due to their inability to form significant interactions with the polar molecules of water, often leading to separation from the aqueous environment. Furthermore, the assertion that all organic molecules are soluble in water is misleading since many organic compounds, particularly those that are purely hydrophobic or have large non-polar regions, show little to no solubility in water.

Thus, the presence of polar and hydrophilic functional groups is crucial for a molecule's ability to dissolve in water.