What is the dominant intermolecular force for propionic acid?
hydrogen bonding
To determine the dominant intermolecular force for propionic acid, we need to consider the molecule's structure and functional groups.
Propionic acid (CH₃CH₂COOH) is a carboxylic acid, which consists of a hydrocarbon chain (propyl) and a carboxyl group (-COOH). The carboxyl group is composed of a carbonyl (C=O) group and a hydroxyl (-OH) group.
The dominant intermolecular force in propionic acid is hydrogen bonding. Hydrogen bonding occurs when a molecule containing a hydrogen atom bonded to a highly electronegative atom (such as oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine) forms an electrostatic interaction with another electronegative atom.
In propionic acid, the hydrogen atom in the hydroxyl group is attracted to the electronegative oxygen atom in the carbonyl group. This hydrogen bonding leads to stronger intermolecular forces between propionic acid molecules compared to other intermolecular forces.
To determine the dominant intermolecular force for any compound, it is essential to first analyze its molecular structure and identify any functional groups that can participate in intermolecular interactions. In the case of propionic acid, the presence of the carboxyl group makes hydrogen bonding the main intermolecular force.