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Diethyl ether and butan-1-ol are isomers, and they have similar solubilities in water
Chapter 2, Problem 2-33(choose chapter or problem)
Diethyl ether and butan-1-ol are isomers, and they have similar solubilities in water. Their boiling points are very different, however. Explain why these two compounds have similar solubility properties but dramatically different boiling points. CH3CH2OCH2CH3 CH3CH2CH2CH2OH diethyl ether, bp 35 C butan-1-ol, bp 118 C 8.4 mL dissolves in 100 mL H2O 9.1 mL dissolves in 100 mL H2O
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
Diethyl ether and butan-1-ol are isomers, and they have similar solubilities in water. Their boiling points are very different, however. Explain why these two compounds have similar solubility properties but dramatically different boiling points. CH3CH2OCH2CH3 CH3CH2CH2CH2OH diethyl ether, bp 35 C butan-1-ol, bp 118 C 8.4 mL dissolves in 100 mL H2O 9.1 mL dissolves in 100 mL H2O
ANSWER:Step 1 of 3
Solubility of organic compounds
Water is a polar molecule. Therefore, it can dissolve only polar organic compounds with an electronegative atom. The electronegative atom can form hydrogen bonds with the hydrogen atoms of the water molecule, increasing the molecule's solubility.
The compound's solubility is directly proportional to the number of hydrogen bonds it can form with the water molecules simultaneously.
The boiling point of organic molecules
The boiling depends on the strength of the intermolecular forces with the molecules of the same compound. As the forces increase, more energy will be required to overcome these forces, and therefore, the boiling point of the compound increases.