TBR Question about H-Bonding

[Gauss44]

Why can't acetone H-Bond with ethanol?

(#45 in TBR Gen Chem Book 2, section 7 says it can't.)

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[dxcrunner]

I think you may have misread the solution to the problem.

It states "Acetone in solution by itself cannot exhibit hydrogen bonding (it does not have an active hydrogen). Once ethanol has been added to the acetone, the acetone can form hydrogen bonds using one of its lone pair from the carbonyl oxygen."

Acetone cannot form hydrogen bonds with itself because a hydrogen needs to be bound to an electromotive atom. In acetone, there is no hydrogen bound to an electromotive atom. When acetone and ethanol (contains a hydrogen on an electronegative atom), the carbonyl group of acetone and hydrogen bond with the hydrogen on the -OH group of the alcohol.

 

[Gauss44]

I think you may have misread the solution to the problem.

It states "Acetone in solution by itself cannot exhibit hydrogen bonding (it does not have an active hydrogen). Once ethanol has been added to the acetone, the acetone can form hydrogen bonds using one of its lone pair from the carbonyl oxygen."

Acetone cannot form hydrogen bonds with itself because a hydrogen needs to be bound to an electromotive atom. In acetone, there is no hydrogen bound to an electromotive atom. When acetone and ethanol (contains a hydrogen on an electronegative atom), the carbonyl group of acetone and hydrogen bond with the hydrogen on the -OH group of the alcohol.

Your accusation is incorrect (and unnecessary): I'm working with a student who's notes indicated that. Being so quick to jump to conclusions about others is a bad habit of yours and is quite unpleasant. In fact, it is dangerous quality for a doctor. I hope you learn your lesson before it someone else pays the price.

 

[dxcrunner]

"I think you misread the solution" is an unnecessary accusation? The book doesn't say that acetone can't H-Bond with ethanol so obviously someone misread the solution? If someone didn't misread the solution, how could this conclusion be made?

Also, how do you know me well enough to know jumping to conclusions is a "habit?" It sounds like you are jumping to conclusions as well.

 

[justadream]

@dxcrunner is absolutely correct here.

TBR's explanation even says:

"Once ethanol has been added to the acetone, the acetone can form hydrogen bonds using one of its lone pairs from the carbonyl oxygen"