WHY ARE HIGHER MEMBERS OF ETHER UNABLE TO FORM HYDROGEN BOND WITH WATER?
Dear Student,
Higher member of ethers have long alkyl chain. As the size of alkyl chain increases, molecular mass of the ether increases and so magnitude of van der waal forces increases. Therefore, the vander waal forces predominates over hydrogen bonding and thus, higher members of ether are unable to form hydrogen bond with water.
Higher member of ethers have long alkyl chain. As the size of alkyl chain increases, molecular mass of the ether increases and so magnitude of van der waal forces increases. Therefore, the vander waal forces predominates over hydrogen bonding and thus, higher members of ether are unable to form hydrogen bond with water.