Characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices: (1) Alcohols have higher boiling points than alkanes of similar molecular mass because of hydrogen bonding.
(2) Ethylene glycol contains two carbon atoms and two hydroxyl groups.
(3) Primary and secondary alcohols give the same type of product when subjected to mild oxidizing agents.
A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Statement 1 is true. Alcohols have higher boiling points than alkanes of similar molecular mass because of intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the –OH groups of adjacent molecules. This increases the energy required to separate the molecules, thus increasing the boiling point.

Statement 2 is true. Ethylene glycol, also known as 1,2-ethanediol, has two carbon atoms and two hydroxyl groups (-OH) attached to them.

Statement 3 is false. When primary and secondary alcohols are subjected to mild oxidizing agents, they give different types of products. Primary alcohols are oxidized to aldehydes, which can be further oxidized to carboxylic acids. Secondary alcohols are oxidized to ketones, which cannot be further oxidized.

Characterize EACH of the Three Given Statements as Being TRUE