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Methanol undergoes a substitution reaction using hydrogen bromide - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 7 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 7
Methanol undergoes a substitution reaction using hydrogen bromide. Compared to methanol, the product of this reaction has a A. lower boiling point. B. lower molecula... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Methanol undergoes a substitution reaction using hydrogen bromide - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 7 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. lower boiling point.
Answer
The product formed from the substitution reaction with hydrogen bromide will generally have a lower boiling point compared to methanol. This is largely due to the presence of the bromine atom, which introduces a different molecular structure that tends to decrease intermolecular forces compared to methanol.
Step 2
B. lower molecular mass.
Answer
The molecular mass of the product will be higher than that of methanol. Given that methanol (CH₃OH) has a molecular weight of approximately 32 g/mol, the introduction of bromine results in a heavier molecular weight due to its atomic mass (approximately 80 g/mol).
Step 3
C. greater solubility in water.
Answer
The solubility of the reaction product in water will generally be lower than that of methanol. Methanol is highly soluble in water due to its hydroxyl group, while the substitution product, depending on its structure, might have reduced hydrogen bonding capability.
Step 4
D. different molecular geometry at the carbon atom.
Answer
The substitution results in a different molecular geometry at the carbon atom. In methanol, the carbon is bonded to three hydrogens and one hydroxyl group, while the substituted product will likely have bromine in place of one hydrogen, altering its geometry.