'Describe the difference in intermolecular forces between 2-methyl-3-hexanone and 5-methyl-3-hexanol and how this affects the properties of the substances.'

Question

I'm looking at the molecles on Chemspider, and I want to say that because 5-methyl-3-hexanol has a hydroxyl group, it will form hydrogen bonds, whereas 2-methyl-3-hexanone wouldn't. That in turn means 5-methyl-3-hexanol has higher melting and boiling points. Does that sound reasonable, or am I missing something?

Thanks!

Answer 1

reasonable, hydrogen bonding.

Answer 2

Quick clarification question - carbonyl groupts don't form hydrogen bonds, right? Since they don't have hydrogen attached to them, even though there's oxygen, they wouldn't participate in hydrogen bonding?

Answer 3

Both aldehydes and ketones are polar molecules because of the presence of the carbon-oxygen double bond. ... Although the aldehydes and ketones are highly polar molecules, they don't have any hydrogen atoms attached directly to the oxygen, and so they can't hydrogen bond with each other.