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1. What are the type of intermolecular forces are present in the solutions formed due to intermolecular attractions between solute and solvent?
 
2. How each of the following pairs of compounds may be distingushed from each other base on solubility behavior
 
a. CH3NH2 and CH3(CH2)5 CH2NH2
 
b. CH3CHO and HOCH2CHO
 
c. Benzylamine and benzyl alcohol
 
130408

Corrie writes .....
 
All three types of intermolecular forces could exist between molecules of solvent and solute: van der Waals' (temporary dipole - induced dipole) forces, permanent dipole-dipole forces and hydrogen bonding.
 
I'll give you some hints to enable you to answer the solubility questions:
 
1. CH3NH2 is a small, polar molecule and can hydrogen bond with water.
CH3(CH2)5 CH2NH2 can also hydrogen bond with water via the amino group but is much less polar due to the presence of a much longer non-polar hydrocarbon chain.
 
2. CH3CHO is small and polar, and can hydrogen bond with water via the O on the C=O group. HOCH2CHO is also small and polar but, in addition to hydrogen bonding with water via the O on the C=O group, can also hydrogen bond with water via the -OH group.
 
3. Compounds containing the large, non-polar benzene ring tend not to be very soluble in water.
Alcohols and amines can both form hydrogen bonds with water, but in alcohols the hydrogen bonding is stronger.

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updated: 13 April 2008

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