Which of the following compounds would be expected to form intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the liquid state? (Select all that apply.)

Question

HCO2H
CH3OCH3 (dimethyl ether)
CH3CO2H (acetic acid)
CH3OH (methanol)

thanks:)

Answer 1

CH3OH will. The oxygen is highly electronegative and it can be attracted to the H atom of another molecule and that forms a H bond. Look for H bonding in atoms with OH, NH, HF (FH) bonds. The O in CH3OCH3 does not form a H bond with another molecule because the H atom doesn't have the net positive charge it does in HF, NH3, and H2O. Others in your post will, also.