In each pair of compounds, pick the one with the higher boiling point. Explain your reasoning. b. CH₃OH or CH₃SH

Key Concepts

Hydrogen Bonding

Hydrogen bonding is a strong type of dipole-dipole interaction that occurs when hydrogen is bonded to highly electronegative atoms like oxygen or nitrogen. In the case of CH3OH (methanol), the presence of an -OH group allows for hydrogen bonding, significantly increasing its boiling point compared to compounds that cannot form such interactions.

Molecular Polarity

Molecular polarity refers to the distribution of electrical charge over the atoms in a molecule. Polar molecules, like CH3OH, have regions of partial positive and negative charge, which leads to stronger intermolecular forces. In contrast, CH3SH (methanethiol) is less polar, resulting in weaker van der Waals forces and a lower boiling point.

Intermolecular Forces

Intermolecular forces are the forces of attraction or repulsion between neighboring particles (atoms, molecules, or ions). The strength of these forces directly affects the boiling point of a substance; stronger intermolecular forces, such as hydrogen bonds in CH3OH, lead to higher boiling points compared to weaker forces in CH3SH.