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Multiple Choice
Indicate the most important type of intermolecular attraction responsible for solvation in the following solution: Methanol, CH3OH, dissolved in ethanol, CH3CH2OH
A
Ion-Dipole
B
Dipole-Dipole
C
Hydrogen Bonding
D
Dispersion Forces
E
Ionic Bonding
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the molecular structure of methanol (CH₃OH) and ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH). Both molecules contain an -OH group, which is capable of forming hydrogen bonds.
Understand that hydrogen bonding occurs when a hydrogen atom is covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom, such as oxygen, and is attracted to another electronegative atom in a nearby molecule.
Recognize that both methanol and ethanol have polar O-H bonds, which can participate in hydrogen bonding due to the significant difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen.
Consider the types of intermolecular forces: Ion-Dipole, Dipole-Dipole, Dispersion Forces, Ionic Bonding, and Hydrogen Bonding. Since both methanol and ethanol are neutral molecules with polar bonds, hydrogen bonding is the most significant intermolecular force here.
Conclude that the most important type of intermolecular attraction responsible for solvation in this solution is hydrogen bonding, as it involves the interaction between the hydrogen atom of one molecule and the oxygen atom of another.