Relationship between Intermolecular Forces, Boiling Points and Vapor Pressures

Note:
Hydrogen Bonding
(N H, O H) (H F)

>

Dipole Dipole
(Polar molecules)

>

BP
VP

>
<

BP
VP

>
<

London Dispersion Forces

(All others have instantaneous
dipoles dipoles)
BP
VP

Boiling points depend on the strength of intermolecular forces (stronger forces = higher boiling points)
1.
2.

3.

London forces become stronger as molecules become longer chain because as the number of atoms
increases, there are more places along their length where instantaneous dipoles can develop.
London forces become stronger the less compact the molecules are. Compact shapes experience weaker
London forces than long chainlike.
H H H H

e.g.
(CH3)4 C < H C C C C H

H H H H
London forces become stronger the larger the molecules are as the charges on the opposite ends of an
instantaneous dipole are larger than in a small molecule.

Vapor Pressure Formation

1.
Higher boiling points (the stronger the intermolecular attractions) the lower the vapor pressure
as if the attractions increase rates of evaporation decrease and the equilibrium vapor pressure.
2.

Vapor pressure does not depend on the size of the container.

3.

Most physical properties depend primarily on the strengths of intermolecular attractions.

Solid > Liquid > Gas intermolecular forces
Viscosity I as Temp D

Method for identifying and solving problems relating intermolecular forces, boiling points, and vapor
pressure
1.
Determine if the structures have any hydrogen bonds (OH, NH, HF).
2.
Next, try to determine if structures have dipole dipole attractions by creating the correct Lewis
structures. If the central atom within the created Lewis structure has an unpaired electron, e.g. NF3, then this
structure will exhibit some type of dipole-dipole interaction. If there are 2 central atoms with unpaired electrons
on both atoms,(e.g. N2), then the structure is symmetrical and will only exhibit London dispersion forces.
If no unpaired structures exist on the central atom and the structure is non-symmetrical, (e.g. CFCl3),
this molecule will be polar and have dipole-dipole interactions.
If no unpaired structures exist on the central atom and the atoms attached are all the same structure, (e.g.
CCl4 or CH4), then the structure is symmetrical and will exhibit only London forces. Otherwise, all other
structures will be exhibiting London dispersion forces.
Types of Intermolecular Forces
10/09 Disk 52-ZZ, rev. 9/23/13, 2/10/14; 1/26/2016
Indian River State College, ASC

What is the strongest intermolecular force present for each of the following compounds?
1. Water _______________________________________________________
2. Carbon tetrachloride ____________________________________________
3. Ammonia _____________________________________________________
4. Carbon dioxide __________________________________________________
5. Phosphorus trichloride _____________________________________________
6. Nitrogen ________________________________________________________
7. Ethane (C2H6) ____________________________________________________
8. Acetone (CH2O) __________________________________________________
9. Methanol (CH3OH) ________________________________________________
10. Borane (BH3) _____________________________________________________

Answers:
1.
Hydrogen bonding
2.
London dispersion forces
3.
Hydrogen bonding
4.
London dispersion forces
5.
Dipole-dipole forces
6.
London dispersion forces
7.
London dispersion forces
8.
Dipole-dipole forces
9.
Hydrogen bonding
10. London forces

Problems:
10/09 Disk 52-ZZ, rev. 9/23/13, 2/10/14; 1/26/2016
Indian River State College, ASC

1.

Which compound below will have the lowest boiling point temperature?
a.
CH3 BR
b.
CH3 F
c.
CH3 I
d.
CH3 H
e.
CH3 CL

2.

Which one of the following covalent compounds will not exhibit hydrogen bonding in the
liquid state?
a.
CH3 CH2 NH2
b.
CH3 CH2 CH2 OH
c.
CH3 CH2 BR
d.
CH3 NH CH3
e.
NH3 OH

3.

Which compound should have the lowest vapor pressure at a given temperature at which these
substances are in the liquid state?
a.
CH3 CH3 F
b.
CH3 CH2 CH3
c.
CH3 CH2 CH2 CH3
d.
CH3 CH2 OH
e.
CH3 O CH3

4.

Which compound would have the lowest boiling point?

a.
H2O
b.
H2S
c.
H2Se
d.
H2Te

5.

Which compound would have the highest boiling point?

a.
H2
b.
CH4
c.
C2H6
d.
CH3O CH3
e.
CH3 CH2 OH

6.

Below are V. P. of several compounds. Which one would have the strongest intermolecular forces?
a.
Benzene 80 Torr
b.
Acetone 185 Torr
c.
Ethyl Ether 442 Torr
Answer Key:
1. d
2. c
10/09 Disk 52-ZZ, rev. 9/23/13, 2/10/14; 1/26/2016
Indian River State College, ASC

3. d

4. b

5. e

6. a