Which type of intermolecular force is primarily responsible for the attraction between individual alcohol molecules?

• A. Ionic bonding
• B. Metallic bonding
• C. London dispersion forces
• D. Hydrogen bonding

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the functional group present in alcohol molecules, which is the hydroxyl group (-OH).
2. Recall that the hydroxyl group contains a highly electronegative oxygen atom bonded to hydrogen, creating a polar O-H bond.
3. Understand that this polarity allows alcohol molecules to form hydrogen bonds, a strong type of dipole-dipole interaction, between the hydrogen of one molecule and the oxygen of another.
4. Compare hydrogen bonding to other intermolecular forces: ionic bonding occurs between ions, metallic bonding occurs in metals, and London dispersion forces are weaker forces present in all molecules but dominant in nonpolar molecules.
5. Conclude that hydrogen bonding is the primary intermolecular force responsible for the attraction between individual alcohol molecules due to the presence of the polar O-H group.