Chapter 3, Problem 44P

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:Value of $\Delta H{°}_{\text{comb}}$ of methanol and $\text{2-methoxy-2-methylpropane}$ should be compared with alkanes of analogous molecular weights.

Concept introduction: When a hydrocarbon is burnt in the presence of air the products formed include water vapor and carbon dioxide. This phenomenon is termed as combustion. In accordance with the conservation of mass, the net reactants consumed are equal to net products formed in any balanced equation.

The value of $\Delta H{°}_{\text{comb}}$ of alkanes or aliphatic hydrocarbons increases with chain length since there is a greater amount of carbon and hydrogen that burns as one moves along the homologous series. The alkanes with the relatively more negative magnitude of $\Delta H{°}_{\text{comb}}$ are regarded as less stable and vice-versa.