Which of the following best explains the difference in chemical properties between LiCl and C6H14O?

• A. LiCl contains only nonmetals, while C6H14O contains metals.
• B. LiCl is an ionic compound, while C6H14O is a covalent compound.
• C. LiCl and C6H14O have the same type of bonding but different molecular sizes.
• D. LiCl is a hydrocarbon, while C6H14O is a salt.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the types of elements present in each compound: LiCl consists of lithium (a metal) and chlorine (a nonmetal), while C6H14O consists only of nonmetals (carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen).
2. Recall the general bonding types: compounds formed between metals and nonmetals typically form ionic bonds, whereas compounds composed only of nonmetals usually form covalent bonds.
3. Analyze LiCl: since it contains a metal (Li) and a nonmetal (Cl), it is expected to be an ionic compound, characterized by the transfer of electrons and formation of ions.
4. Analyze C6H14O: since it contains only nonmetals, it is a covalent compound, where atoms share electrons to form molecules.
5. Conclude that the difference in chemical properties arises because LiCl is ionic and C6H14O is covalent, which affects properties like melting point, solubility, and electrical conductivity.