Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur

Naming Ethers

GOB Chemistry

14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur

Naming Ethers

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Problem 13b

Textbook Question

Give an explanation for each of the following observations:
b. 1-Propanol is soluble in water, but ethyl methyl ether is only slightly soluble.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by identifying the molecular structures of 1-propanol and ethyl methyl ether. 1-propanol (C3H8O) contains a hydroxyl (-OH) group, while ethyl methyl ether (C3H8O) contains an ether (-O-) functional group.

2. Explain the concept of hydrogen bonding. The hydroxyl group in 1-propanol can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules because the oxygen atom is highly electronegative, creating a partial negative charge, and the hydrogen atom attached to it has a partial positive charge.

3. Discuss the solubility of 1-propanol in water. The ability of 1-propanol to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules significantly increases its solubility in water, as these interactions help integrate the alcohol into the aqueous environment.

4. Explain the solubility of ethyl methyl ether in water. Ethyl methyl ether lacks a hydroxyl group and cannot form hydrogen bonds with water. While it can interact with water through weaker dipole-dipole interactions due to the oxygen atom, these interactions are insufficient to make it highly soluble.

5. Conclude by comparing the two molecules. The presence of the hydroxyl group in 1-propanol allows for stronger intermolecular interactions with water (hydrogen bonding), making it more soluble than ethyl methyl ether, which relies only on weaker dipole-dipole interactions.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Polarity

Polarity refers to the distribution of electrical charge over the atoms in a molecule. Molecules with a significant difference in electronegativity between their atoms, like water (H2O), are polar and can form hydrogen bonds. 1-Propanol, which has a hydroxyl (-OH) group, is polar and can interact favorably with water, enhancing its solubility.

Hydrogen Bonding

Hydrogen bonding is a type of strong dipole-dipole attraction that occurs between molecules when hydrogen is bonded to highly electronegative atoms like oxygen or nitrogen. In the case of 1-propanol, the -OH group allows it to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, leading to its high solubility. In contrast, ethyl methyl ether lacks such strong hydrogen bonding capabilities, resulting in its lower solubility.

Molecular Structure

The molecular structure of a compound, including its functional groups and overall shape, significantly influences its solubility in water. 1-Propanol has a straight-chain structure with a polar hydroxyl group, making it more compatible with water. Ethyl methyl ether, however, has an ether functional group that is less polar, contributing to its limited solubility in water.