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Intermolecular Forces(IMF)

6.2 Van Der Waals (London Dispersion) Forces

The electrons in molecules and atom are in a state of continuous random motion and at a
given moment, the electron cloud may instantaneous shift to one side more than the other.
This caused distortion of electron cloud with temporary dipoles created on the atom or
molecule illustrated in fig 6.21 below using a temporary polarised atom of argon Y due to
instantaneous electrons shift to the right more than the left.
δ+ δ-
Ar Ar

X Y
Fig 6.21
A neighbouring argon atom that approaches the temporary polarised argon atom Y becomes
polarised. This known as induced dipoles as shown in fig 6.22 below.
δ+ δ- δ+ δ- δ+ δ-
Ar + Ar Ar + Ar

t e m po r a r y n eig h bou r in g t e m po r a r y a rgon a tom

po la r i z e d a rgon a tom po la r i z e d wi t h i n d u ced
a rgon a tom a ppr o a ch i n g a rgon a tom d i po le s

Fig 6.22
The attraction between the opposite charged ends of the temporary dipoles is called van der
Waals forces as shown in fig 6.23 below between two temporary atoms and between two
temporary molecules of fluorine.
δ+ δ- δ+ δ- δ+ δ- δ+ δ-
Ar Ar F–F F–F

Co va l e n t
δ+
Ar δ- δ+
Ar δ- va n d e r w a a l s fo r c e s δ+
F – Fδ- δ+
F – Fδ- b o n d
Fig 6.23

The dipoles are only temporary because random movement of electrons cloud in the atom or
molecule continues. The strength of van der waals forces is affected by two factors.
The greater the number of electrons, the greater the frequency of polarisation of electron
cloud with greater magnitude of temporary dipoles and the stronger the van der waals
forces.

A larger the surface area (point of contact) between two molecules increases the ability of
one molecule to induce dipoles in an adjacent molecule resulting to sytonger van der waals
forces of attraction between the molecules.
Act:
(a) Suggest two reasons why the van der waals forces holding two propane (C3H8)
molecules together are stronger than the van der waals forces holding two ethane (C2H6)
molecules together.
(b) Explain the difference in the boiling points (bpts) of the three isomer C(CH3)4 (283K),
(CH3)2CHCH2CH3 (301K) and CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3 (309K).

Effects van der Waals forces on physical properties

Increase in the strength of van der Waals forces increases melting and boiling points, viscosity,
density, solubility of substance in non-polar solvents but reduces solubility in polar solvents.

THE NEN SERIES A-Level chemistry notes 2013-2014 school year prepared by Nkemzi E.N
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Intermolecular Forces(IMF)

6.3 Dipole Dipole Forces

They occur between polar molecules. A covalent bond between two atoms with a different in
electronegativity is polar and has a permanent dipole. The partial positive charge on one molecule is
electrostatically attracted to the partial negative charge on a neighbouring molecule.
δ+ δ- δ+ δ- Covalent bond
δ+ δ- δ+
H–Cl H–Cl H – Cl H – Clδ- δ+
H – Clδ-

permanent dipole-dipole forces

Fig 6.31
Definition: Dipole-dipole forces are weak electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely
charged ends of permanent dipoles.
Act:
1. Bromine (Br2) and ICl have 70 electrons each and molar masses of 160 and 162.5 respectively.
(a) What is the name of ICl? (b) What term can be used to describe both Br2 and ICl? Explain.
(c) Which of the two substances (Br2 and ICl) has a higher boiling point? Explain.
2. Propanone (CH3COCH3) is a liquid while butane (CH3CH2CH2CH3) is a gas at room temperature.
Explain.
3. Given the molecule of bromine (Br2) below.
e e e e ee ee ee eeeeeeeeeee
(a) Would you expect the bromine molecule to have permanent or
e e e Br – Br e e e ee
eeee temporary dipoles? Explain.
e e e e e e e e e ee ee e
eeee (b) Add δ– and δ+ to an appropriate positions on the molecule.
6.4 Hydrogen Bonds
A polar molecule with a hydrogen atom attached to fluorine, oxygen or nitrogen has hydrogen bonds
as intermolecular forces between its molecules. Examples of substances containing hydrogen bonds
are HF, H2O, NH3, alcohols, carboxylic acids, amines, acid amides and urea.
General conditions necessary for hydrogen bond formation
- Hydrogen atom must be directly attached to either nitrogen, oxygen or fluorine
- The nitrogen, oxygen or fluorine atom of the adjacent molecule must contain a lone pair of
electrons.
The diagrams below show hydrogen bonds in water, ammonia and hydrogen fluoride.
Hydrogen bonds
..O..
H H H
H H H . H . H .
..O.. ..N–H ..N–H ..N–H ..F... ..F... ..F... ..F... ..F... ..F...
H H H H H
. . .
..O.. H H H
water H H ammonia Hydrogen fluoride

Fig 6.42
The maximum number of hydrogen bonds formed per molecule depends on the number of hydrogen
atoms attached to a highly electronegative element such as fluorine, oxygen or nitrogen and the
number of lone pairs of electrons on the highly electronegative element.
Act:
Assuming that the ions NH4+ and H3O+ can exist in the gaseous phase.
(a) Which of the ions will hydrogen bonds exist in its gaseous sample? Explain.
(b) Suggest a reason why in practice, the species you have chosen in (a) above will rarely form the
hydrogen bonds or will form with difficulties.
Definition: A hydrogen bond is a weak electrostatic force of attraction between a hydrogen atom
covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom (F, O or N) of a molecule and the lone pair of
electrons on a highly electronegative atom (F, O or N) of the adjacent molecule.
Act:
(a) Butan-1-ol and 2-methylpropan-2-ol are isomers. Compare the boiling points of the two
isomers and suggest a reason for any similarity or difference in the boiling points.
(b) Explain why hydrogen bonds in water are weaker than hydrogen bonds in ice.

THE NEN SERIES A-Level chemistry notes 2013-2014 school year prepared by Nkemzi E.N