Question

Describe the intermolecular forces and changes in bonding that lead to the formation of a basic solution when Methylamine (CH3NH2) dissolves in water.

Answer 1

Methylamine (CH3NH2) contain intermolecular hydrogen bonding due to polar N-H bond

When Methylamine (CH3NH2) dissolves in water, it forms a methylammonium cation and hydroxide ion, thus the solution becomes basic

CH3-NH2(aq) + H2O(l) ---------------> CH3-NH3^+ + OH^-

The nature of intermolecular forces that are present between the ions(CH3-NH3^+ & OH^-) present in the solution is ionic, therefore the nature of intermolecular forces changes from weakly polar(H-bonding) to ionic