Which of the following molecules is expected to form hydrogen bonds in the pure liquid or solid phase: ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH),acetic acid (CH₃CO₂H),acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO),and dimethyl ether (CH₃OCH₃)? A) ethanol only B) acetaldehyde only C) ethanol and acetic acid D) acetaldehyde and dimethyl ether E) ethanol and dimethyl ether

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ethanol and acetic acid are both capable of hydrogen bonding due to the presence of their hydroxyl (-OH) and carbonyl (-C=O) functional groups, respectively. Acetaldehyde lacks a hydrogen bond donor or acceptor, making it unable to form hydrogen bonds. Dimethyl ether, despite having an oxygen atom, cannot form hydrogen bonds because it is not polar enough.

Which of the Following Molecules Is Expected to Form Hydrogen