General Chemistry

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The boiling point of a substance is a standard physical property and can typically be found in chemical reference materials. For ethanol (CH3CH2OH), also known as ethyl alcohol, the boiling point can be determined through its unique chemical structure and intermolecular forces.

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Step 1: Understanding Ethanol&#39;s Chemical Structure

Ethanol is an organic compound with the molecular formula CH3CH2OH. It consists of a two-carbon chain (ethyl group) and a hydroxyl group (OH). The presence of the hydroxyl group is particularly important as it significantly influences the boiling point of the compound.

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Step 2: Role of Hydrogen Bonding

The hydroxyl group in ethanol is capable of forming hydrogen bonds, a type of strong dipole-dipole interaction. Hydrogen bonds occur when a hydrogen atom is covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom (like oxygen) and is attracted to another electronegative atom in a different molecule.

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Step 3: Boiling Point and Intermolecular Forces

The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure equals the external pressure surrounding the liquid. The presence of hydrogen bonding in ethanol means that more energy (in the form of heat) is required to overcome these intermolecular forces and convert the liquid into a gas. This results in a higher boiling point compared to molecules of similar size but without hydrogen bonding.

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Step 4: Standard Boiling Point of Ethanol

The standard boiling point of ethanol, which is the temperature at which it boils under one atmosphere of pressure (101.325 kPa), is approximately 78.37 degrees Celsius (173.07 degrees Fahrenheit).

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Conclusion

Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) has a boiling point of about 78.37 &deg;C (173.07 &deg;F). This relatively high boiling point, compared to other alcohols with shorter carbon chains, is primarily due to the ability of ethanol to form hydrogen bonds, which require more energy to break. Understanding the boiling point of ethanol is crucial in various applications, including its use as a solvent, in alcoholic beverages, and in the production of biofuels.

Question

What is the boiling point of CH3CH2OH?

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