How to predict which substance in each of the following pairs would have the greater intermolecular forces ? a) #CO_2# or #OCS#; b) #SeO_2# or #SO_2#; c) #CH_3CH_2CH_2NH_2# or #H_2NCH_2CH_2NH_2#; d) #CH_3CH_3# or #H_2CO#; e) #CH_3OH# or #H2CO#.
1 Answer
!! LONG ANSWER !!
The strength of the intermolecular forces exhibited by a certain molecule goes hand in hand with its polarity and with its ability to form hydrogen bonds.
Right from the get-go, nonpolar molecules will have weaker intermolecular forces compared with polar molecules of comparable size.
So, here's a brief analysis of each pair (the molecule with the greater IMFs will be written in green)
#CO_2# and#color(green)(OCS)#
You're dealing with two linear molecules, the only difference between the two being that
In
#color(green)(SeO_2)# and#SO_2#
This one is a little more subtle. From an electronegativity stanpoint, selenium and sulfur are very similar; moreover, both molecules have a bent molecular geometry, which implies that both are polar.
However, selenium has a bigger radius than sulfur, which implies that it also has a bigger electron cloud. That translates into greater polarizability.
The positive charge that will arise on the selenium atom will be slightly bigger than that on the sulfur atom, which implies a slightly greater net dipole moment.
#CH_3CH_2CH_2NH_2# or#color(green)(H_2NCH_2CH_2NH_2)#
This is where the ability to form hydrogen bonds comes into play. The difference between these two amines will be made by the additional
This second
#CH_3CH_3# or#color(green)(H_2CO)#
Methane, or
By comparison, the electronegative oxygen will create a permanent dipole moment on the formaldehyde molecule. This will allow the molecule to exhibit dipole-dipole interactions, in addition to the London dispersion forces that every molecule exhibits.
#color(green)(CH_3OH)# or#H_2CO#
Once again, this comes down to the ability to form hydrogen bonds. Both molecules exhibit London dispersion forces and dipole-dipole interactions, but the fact that ethanol,