Comparing Hexane and Dimethyl ether, why does dimethyl ether have weaker intermolecular forces than hexane?  Hexane is large + nonpolar, and dimethyl ether is small + polar.

General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry
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ISBN:9781285853918
Author:H. Stephen Stoker
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Chapter14: Alcohols, Phenols And Ethers
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Comparing Hexane and Dimethyl ether, why does dimethyl ether have weaker intermolecular forces than hexane? 

Hexane is large + nonpolar, and dimethyl ether is small + polar. 

Expert Solution
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The hexane has the stronger attractions between its molecules through London dispersion forces.

Diethyl ether contains dipole-dipole forces and London dispersion forces.

However,

Hexane is a larger, longer-chain molecule so there are more London dispersion forces between n-hexane molecule which outweighs the dipole forces in Dimethyl ether.

 

 

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