CHAPTER 4.

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CHEMICAL BONDING
CHMISTRY SK015
CHEMISTRY SK015
4.4
INTERMOLECULAR FORCES
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the lessons, students should be able to :

a) Describe intermolecular forces:

i. Van der Waals forces:
• Dipole-dipole interactions or permanent dipole
• London forces or dispersion forces
ii. Hydrogen bonding
b) Explain factors that influence Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bond
c) Relate the effects of hydrogen bonding on the following physical properties:
i. Boiling point
ii. Solubility
iii. Density of water compared to ice
 Intermolecular Forces
Forces that hold atoms Forces between particles
together in a molecule Types of forces (atoms, molecules, or ions)

Intramolecular forces Intermolecular forces

Van der Waals Hydrogen bonds

Ionic bond
Metallic bond
Covalent bond
Dispersion forces
(London forces)
 Van der Waals forces

Dispersion Forces (London Forces)

 Exist in all particles (polar/non-polar molecules, ions and atoms)
 The instaneous dipole from the uneven distribution of electrons of one particle
induces the neighbouring particle when they are very close.

1) Two non-polar Cl2 2) At one point, the 3) molecule A

molecule come closer to uneven distribution of e- induces dipole on
each other create instantaneous molecule B
dipole on A
 Van der Waals forces

Dipole-dipole Forces
 Exist in polar molecules only!
 Attractive forces between positive end of one molecule with negative end of
another molecule.
 Factors that affecting the strength of Van der Waals forces

1. Molecular Polarity
2. Polarizability (refer to molecular size)
 The bigger the molecular size, the stronger the polarizability
 The stronger Van der Waals (London forces/ dipole-dipole) forces

Question 1

Compare the boiling point of methane,

ethane, propane and n-butane.

 Methane, ethane, propane and butane are non-polar molecules and have only weak
Van der Waals forces.
 The larger the molecular size (molecular mass), the stronger the polarizability.
 n-butane has the biggest molecular size and strongest Van der Waals forces.
 Thus, butane has the highest boiling point between the molecules.
3. Molecular Shape
 For molecules with comparable size and same polarity.
 Branching will decrease the surface area.
 The larger the surface area of molecules
 The stronger the Van der Waals (London forces/ dipole-dipole) forces.

Question 2

Compare the boiling point of butane and methylpropane.

Question 2.

Compare the boiling point of butane and methylpropane.

 Butane and 2-methylpropane are non-polar molecules with the same molecular size and
have only weak Van der Waals forces.
 Branching will decrease the surface area.
 2-methylpropane is a branched molecule and has a smaller surface area than straight
chain butane molecule.
 The London forces between 2-methylpropane molecules is weaker than butane.
 So, less energy is required to overcome the weak London forces between
2-methylpropane molecules.
 Thus, 2-methylpropane has lower boiling point than butane.
Hydrogen bond

 Forces between selected polar molecule which have

1. Partially positive H atom that is directly bonded to F, O or N atom
2. Partially negative lone pair electrons on F, O, or N atom of another molecules
Factors that affecting the strength of Hydrogen bonds

1. Number of Hydrogen bonds

Compare between F & O

 The more hydrogen bond formed, the stronger is the hydrogen bond.

E.g.: Compare H2O and HF

 H2O can form more hydrogen bonds between its molecules compare to HF.
 Hydrogen bond in H2O is stronger than in HF.
 Factors that affecting the strength of Hydrogen bonds

2. Electronegativity of the F, O or N

Compare between F & N

 The more electronegative the atom (F/O/N), the stronger is the hydrogen bond.

E.g.: Compare HF and NH3

 F is more electronegative than N.
 Hydrogen bond in HF is stronger than NH3.
 Overall, Strength of Hydrogen bond: H2O > HF > NH3

However, there are other molecules which possess Hydrogen bonds.

For examples alcohol (e.g.: CH3OH), amine (e.g.: CH3NH2)
Comparing physical properties based on the intermolecular forces

1. Boiling points

 depends on the strength of intermolecular forces.

 the stronger the intermolecular forces, the higher the boiling point

2. Solubility
 Ability to form hydrogen bonding with the water – soluble in water.
 Ability to form Van der Waals forces with the non-polar solvent
– e.g.: benzene solvent.
Question (with guidelines)
Arrange the following species in ascending order of boiling point.
Explain your answer.
HCl, F2, CH3OH, CH3NH2

Dipole-dipole London forces Hydrogen Hydrogen

bonds bonds

F2 < HCl < CH3NH2 < CH3OH

 Van der Waals
hydrogen bonds

Hydrogen bonds Van der Waals

higher

polar dipole-dipole forces

non-polar London forces
higher

more
stronger

higher
Question (with guidelines)
Compare the solubility of the following compound in water.
Rationalize your answer. CH3OH, CH3CH3

Hydrogen bonds London forces

Soluble in water Insoluble in water

polar
hydrogen bonding
non-polar
 Comparing physical properties based on the intermolecular forces

3. Density of ice compare with water

 In ICE: Each H2O molecule is tetrahedrally
hydrogen bonded to four other H2O molecules in a
repeatedly 3D network.
 This gives rise to an open, hexagonal structure.
 So, when water freeze
o it results in bigger volume.
o And lower density
o Therefore, ice floats in water
Thanks!
Please attempt the
tutorial exercises