Ethanol is a very polar molecule due to its hydroxyl (OH) group. The high electronegativity of oxygen allows hydrogen bonding to take place with other molecules. Ethanol therefore attracts polar and ionic molecules. The ethyl (C2H5) group in ethanol is non-polar; therefore, it attracts non-polar molecules. Thus, ethanol can dissolve both polar and non-polar substances.
There are three intermolecular bonds formed in Ethanol: 1.) London Dispersion- this bond is caused by the exchange of electrons between molecules. 2.) Dipole-Dipole- the positive end of the dipole is attracted to the negative end of another dipole. In this case the Hydrogen(+) is attracted to the Oxygen (-). 3.) Hydrogen Bonding- takes place between a Hydrogen and the F, N, or O of another molecule. |
The bonds between the hydrogen and carbon atoms are nonpolar covalent bonds. The hydrogen-oxygen and carbon-oxygen bonds are polar covalent bonds.
In a nonpolar covalent bond, the electronegativity values of the two atoms are not significantly different, so they equally share electrons. The electronegativity of hydrogen is 2.1, and the electronegativity of carbon is 2.5. The electronegativity difference between hydrogen and carbon is 0.4, therefore, it is not strong enough to create a polar covalent bond.
The electronegativity of oxygen is 3.5. The difference in electronegativity of the hydrogen-oxygen bond is 1.4. The difference in electronegativity of the carbon-oxygen bond is 1.0. In these bonds, the electrons are more attracted to the oxygen. As a result, this net polar force can lead to hydrogen bonds between two ethanol molecules or with a water molecule. |
http://www.learndev.org/dl/Science/WB5.pdfhttp://employees.csbsju.edu/hjakubowski/classes/Chem%20and%20Society/Alcohol_Drugs/olEtOHStructAct.htm
http://www.easychem.com.au/production-of-materials/renewable-ethanol/ethanol-as-a-solvent
http://www.chem4kids.com/files/atom_electron.html
http://www.easychem.com.au/production-of-materials/renewable-ethanol/ethanol-as-a-solvent
http://www.chem4kids.com/files/atom_electron.html