Question

Rank the following compounds in order of increasing strength of intermolecular forces in the pure substances. H2S , CH3OH, Cl2, Ne

Answer 1

1) Ne < 2) Cl2 < 3) H2S < 4) CH3OH

Ne is an inert gas hence will not have much of intermolecular forces. Cl2 is a diatomic molecule and in the pure state it will gas, so there are very few intermolecular forces. But Cl2 being more electronegative atom it will have at least temporary dipole moment and hence will have some greater forces than that of Ne. H2S contains the polar bond between more polar S and less polar H atom. Making H-S bond polar. Hence it will have some intermolecular forces acting upon. But is less than that of CH3OH. In methanol, hydrogen bonding will be very strong making it ranked as highest intermolecular forces. Also, O-H bond is more polar than that of S-H.