Ethers and Alcohols: Exploring the Truth Behind the Statements
Which of the statements regarding alcohols and ethers are true?
1-Propanol is more likely to be a liquid at 50 °C than is methoxyethane (ethyl methyl ether).
Alcohol molecules can form hydrogen bonds among themselves; ether molecules cannot.
Answer:
Following statements are true:
- 1-Propanol is more likely to be a liquid at 50 °C than is methoxyethane (ethyl methyl ether).
- Alcohol molecules can form hydrogen bonds among themselves; ether molecules cannot.
Understanding Alcohols and Ethers
Alcohol is an organic compound with a hydroxyl group (OH) attached to a carbon atom. On the other hand, ether is an organic molecule in which an oxygen atom is linked to two alkyl or aryl groups.
1-Propanol has a boiling point of 97-98°C, while methoxyethane has a boiling point of 7.4°C. This indicates that 1-Propanol is more likely to be in liquid form compared to methoxyethane at 50°C.
Alcohol molecules can form hydrogen bonds due to the presence of the OH group, allowing them to interact with water molecules. On the other hand, ether molecules cannot form hydrogen bonds among themselves since the oxygen atom is connected to alkyl or aryl groups.
Therefore, the true statements regarding alcohols and ethers are that 1-Propanol is more likely to be a liquid at 50°C than methoxyethane and alcohol molecules can form hydrogen bonds among themselves, while ether molecules cannot.