
Concept explainers
Interpretation:
Which fatty acid out of behenic acid and erucic acid has a higher melting point is to be determined.
Concept introduction:
Melting point of a compound depends on the strength of the intermolecular interactions between its molecules. The stronger the interactions, higher the melting point.
The type and strength of the intermolecular interactions depends on the
When a molecule contains both polar and nonpolar groups, the relative strength of induced dipole-induced dipole interactions in the nonpolar part and the dipole-dipole interactions in the polar part depend on the length of the nonpolar part. If the nonpolar part consists of a long chain hydrocarbon, the induced dipole-induced dipole interactions can be stronger than the dipole-dipole interactions due to the polar part. The larger the interacting surface area, the stronger the induced dipole-induced dipole interactions. Long hydrocarbon chains have a large number of electrons, which increases the polarizability.
The surface area also depends on whether the chain is straight or branched or folded. If the number of carbon atoms is the same, a straight chain has the largest surface area, while a branched or folded chain has a relatively low surface area over which it can interact with other molecules. So straight chain compounds have stronger induced dipole-induced dipole interactions, and therefore, higher melting points than branched or folded chain compounds with the same number of carbon atoms.

Want to see the full answer?
Check out a sample textbook solution
Chapter 4 Solutions
Organic Chemistry: Principles And Mechanisms
- Synthesize 2-Hydroxy-2-phenylacetonitrile from phenylmethanol using the necessary organic or inorganic reagents. Draw the structures of the compounds.arrow_forwardSynthesize N-Methylcyclohexylamine from cyclohexanol using the necessary organic or inorganic reagents. Draw the structures of the compounds.arrow_forwardSynthesize N-Methylcyclohexylamine from cyclohexanol using the necessary organic or inorganic reagents. Draw the structures of the compounds.arrow_forward
- If possible, please provide the formula of the compound 3,3-dimethylbut-2-enal.arrow_forwardSynthesize 1,4-dibromobenzene from acetanilide (N-phenylacetamide) using the necessary organic or inorganic reagents. Draw the structures of the compounds.arrow_forwardIndicate the products obtained by mixing (3-oxo-3-phenylpropyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide with sodium hydride.arrow_forward
- We mix N-ethyl-2-hexanamine with excess methyl iodide and followed by heating with aqueous Ag2O. Indicate the major products obtained.arrow_forwardIndicate the products obtained by mixing acetophenone with iodine and NaOH.arrow_forwardIndicate the products obtained by mixing 2-Propanone and ethyllithium and performing a subsequent acid hydrolysis.arrow_forward
- Indicate the products obtained if (E)-2-butenal and 3-oxo-butanenitrile are mixed with sodium ethoxide in ethanol.arrow_forwardQuestion 3 (4 points), Draw a full arrow-pushing mechanism for the following reaction Please draw all structures clearly. Note that this intramolecular cyclization is analogous to the mechanism for halohydrin formation. COH Br + HBr Brarrow_forwardIndicate the products obtained if 2,2-dimethylpropanal and acetaldehyde are mixed with sodium ethoxide in ethanol.arrow_forward
- Chemistry: Matter and ChangeChemistryISBN:9780078746376Author:Dinah Zike, Laurel Dingrando, Nicholas Hainen, Cheryl WistromPublisher:Glencoe/McGraw-Hill School Pub CoChemistry by OpenStax (2015-05-04)ChemistryISBN:9781938168390Author:Klaus Theopold, Richard H Langley, Paul Flowers, William R. Robinson, Mark BlaserPublisher:OpenStax
- Organic And Biological ChemistryChemistryISBN:9781305081079Author:STOKER, H. Stephen (howard Stephen)Publisher:Cengage Learning,General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryChemistryISBN:9781285853918Author:H. Stephen StokerPublisher:Cengage Learning



