Alcohols can:[Fill in the blank]

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Alcohols contain an –OH group in which oxygen is electronegative and bears two lone pairs while the hydrogen bonded to oxygen is partially positive; therefore alcohols can act as both hydrogen-bond donors and hydrogen-bond acceptors.

1) Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Hydrogen-bond donor: a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a strongly electronegative atom (O, N, or F) that can form an H···A interaction. In alcohols the O–H hydrogen is the donor.
- Hydrogen-bond acceptor: an electronegative atom with lone pair(s) that can accept H···A interactions. In alcohols the oxygen atom has two lone pairs and serves as an acceptor.
- Hydrogen bonding can occur intermolecularly (between two alcohol molecules or between an alcohol and water) or intramolecularly when geometry permits.

2) Step-by-step reasoning
- Identify functional group: an alcohol has the formula R–O–H.
- Donor capability: the O–H bond makes the hydrogen partially positive (δ+), enabling that hydrogen to form H···O or H···N hydrogen bonds with lone-pair-bearing atoms on other molecules → qualifies as a hydrogen-bond donor.
- Acceptor capability: the oxygen atom has two lone pairs (unshared electrons) and is electronegative, so it can accept a hydrogen bond from a hydrogen on another molecule → qualifies as a hydrogen-bond acceptor.
- Therefore any typical alcohol molecule can both donate (via its O–H hydrogen) and accept (via oxygen lone pairs).

3) Calculations
- No numerical calculations are needed; the conclusion follows from the molecular structure.

4) Why the correct answer is correct
Because the defining O–H group provides a proton donor site and the oxygen’s lone pairs provide an acceptor site, alcohols possess both roles in hydrogen bonding.

5) Why other options are incorrect
- (a) “only be hydrogen bond donors” neglects oxygen’s lone pairs, so it’s incomplete.
- (b) “not be hydrogen bond acceptors” is false because oxygen’s lone pairs clearly allow acceptance.
- (d) “neither donor nor acceptor” contradicts the presence of O–H and lone pairs.

Conclusion: The correct choice is c. be both hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, which matches the provided answer.

Alcohols can:[Fill in the blank]Single choice

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