Question

question
ethanol (ch₃ch₂oh) has a higher boiling point than dimethyl ether (ch₃och₃) because the ether is:
select the correct answer below:
heavier
lighter
more polar
less polar

Explanation:

Ethanol has a hydroxyl group (\(OH\)) which can form hydrogen bonds. Hydrogen bonds are strong intermolecular forces. Dimethyl ether has an oxygen atom but no \(O - H\) bond. It has weaker dipole - dipole forces. The polarity of ethanol (due to hydrogen bonding ability) is higher than that of dimethyl ether. Since boiling point is related to the strength of intermolecular forces (higher polarity usually leads to stronger forces and higher boiling point), dimethyl ether is less polar.

Answer:

D. less polar