
Why Acetone and Chloroform Show Negative Enthalpy Change Due to Hydrogen Bond Formation
Thermodynamics is a branch of physics that explains the properties of heat and reactions of eat energy with different chemicals. As a part of this, here we are going to understand the release in heat due to the interaction between acetone and chloroform, which can be termed as enthalpy change. Let's see the experiment's detailed explanation to evaluate the enthalpy change during interaction between acetone and chloroform.
Enthalpy Change Definition
The enthalpy change definition can be explained in several ways. We can explain the sum of both internal energy and the product of volume and pressure in simple terms.
H= E+ PV
Where H = Enthalpy change
E = Internal Energy
P = Pressure
V = Volume
Aim
To evaluate the enthalpy change during the interaction between acetone and chloroform.
Explanation
According to Raoult Law, when we mix two liquid pairs, they will interact with each other and behave ideally. In contrast to the Raoult law, the interaction of acetone and chloroform showed non-ideal behaviour due to the formation of hydrogen bonds and released in thermal energy. This deviation against the Raoult Law encouraged several scientists to investigate this. Hence, some theoretical and experimental studies have taken place.
The respective chemical equation is as follows-
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The formation of hydrogen bonds during acetone and chloroform interaction reduces the escaping tendency among the acetone and chloroform. It leads to breaking the expectations on released vapour pressure. Besides this, both molecules hold weak van der Waal forces at their pure state. At this moment, we can observe the enthalpy change during interaction with the formation of hydrogen bonds. Hence the enthalpy change of reaction was observed for a specific amount.
Required Materials to Perform Experiment
To determine the enthalpy change during the interaction between acetone and chloroform, we need to perform an experiment that requires the following list of materials.
Boiling tube
Glass rod
Cotton wool
Beaker
Chloroform
Measuring cylinder
Piece of cardboard
Thermometer
Acetone
Step by Step Procedure
Let see the step-by-step procedure to find out the enthalpy change during the interaction between acetone and chloroform.
First, we need to calculate the water level, whether it should be equivalent to the level of the beaker or calorimeter.
Take equal amounts of both acetone and chloroform; let's say 50 mL of the solution in two different beakers separately.
Record the temperature of both the solutions initially to find out the enthalpy change at the end of the experiment.
Now we need to transfer the specific amount of chloroform from the beaker to the insulated boiling tube. Use a measuring cylinder to measure exactly 0.1 moles of chloroform.
And do the same thing for acetone also using a clean measuring cylinder. We should not use the same cylinder, in which we have measured the chloroform.
Now transfer 0.1 moles of acetone which we have connected into the chloroform in an insulated boiling tube.
Stir the mixture of acetone and chloroform.
Start recording the temperature.
Now calculate the rise in temperature using the observations.
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Observations
Calculations
From the observations, we can calculate and find the enthalpy change of formation. It is measured in Joules.
The formula for enthalpy change is,
= W*4.2*(t1-t2)+[100*1.499*s1 +100 *0.787*s2](t1-t2) joules
= ______ joules.
Hence it is the result obtained when we mixed 100ml of both acetone and chloroform to find out the enthalpy change during the interaction.
Precautions to be Taken
For every experiment, you want to take necessary precautions to avoid unnecessary risks and adverse effects of chemicals. Similarly, for this experiment, we also need to take some precautions. They are listed below-
We should measure the quantity of acetone and chloroform carefully to get the exact value.
One should be more attentive and careful while steering the mixture of acetone and chloroform.
Using cotton for thermal insulation is always suggestible.
Use a graduated thermometer and record the values of changing temperature carefully.
Approach the doctor immediately if any chemical splits on the skin accidentally.
Use gloves, glasses, masks, etc., to protect sense organs.
Conclusion
Hence, the experiment has proved that 1 mole of acetone and chloroform will show non-ideal behaviour, resulting in enthalpy change during the interaction. One should follow all the precautions while experimenting with yielding good results.
FAQs on Enthalpy Change During the Interaction Between Acetone and Chloroform
1. What is the enthalpy change during the interaction between acetone and chloroform?
The enthalpy change during the interaction between acetone and chloroform is negative, meaning the mixing process is exothermic. When acetone (CH3COCH3) and chloroform (CHCl3) are mixed, heat is released due to strong intermolecular attractions.
- A specific hydrogen bond forms between the hydrogen of CHCl3 and the oxygen of acetone.
- The formation of this strong interaction releases energy.
- As a result, the temperature of the mixture increases.
2. Why is the enthalpy of mixing acetone and chloroform negative?
The enthalpy of mixing acetone and chloroform is negative because strong hydrogen bonding forms between their molecules. Specifically:
- The hydrogen atom in CHCl3 is slightly positive due to three electronegative chlorine atoms.
- The oxygen atom in acetone has a lone pair and is partially negative.
- A strong O···H–C hydrogen bond forms between them.
3. What type of intermolecular forces are responsible for the interaction between acetone and chloroform?
The main intermolecular force responsible for the interaction between acetone and chloroform is hydrogen bonding. In this system:
- Chloroform (CHCl3) acts as a hydrogen bond donor.
- Acetone (CH3COCH3) acts as a hydrogen bond acceptor.
- The interaction is an O···H–C hydrogen bond.
4. Is the mixing of acetone and chloroform an example of an ideal or non-ideal solution?
The mixing of acetone and chloroform forms a non-ideal solution with negative deviation from Raoult’s law. This occurs because:
- The intermolecular forces between unlike molecules are stronger than those between like molecules.
- The enthalpy of mixing (ΔHmix) is negative.
- The vapor pressure of the solution is lower than predicted by Raoult’s law.
5. How does hydrogen bonding affect the enthalpy change between acetone and chloroform?
Hydrogen bonding lowers the enthalpy of the system, making the enthalpy change negative. When acetone and chloroform interact:
- A new strong hydrogen bond forms between O of acetone and H of CHCl3.
- Energy is released during bond formation.
- This released energy exceeds the energy needed to separate the original molecules.
6. What is the sign of ΔH when acetone and chloroform are mixed?
The sign of ΔH for mixing acetone and chloroform is negative (ΔH < 0). A negative enthalpy change means:
- Heat is released to the surroundings.
- The process is exothermic.
- Strong intermolecular attractions are formed between unlike molecules.
7. How is the enthalpy of mixing experimentally determined for acetone and chloroform?
The enthalpy of mixing is experimentally determined using calorimetry by measuring the temperature change when the liquids are mixed. The steps include:
- Measure initial temperatures of acetone and chloroform.
- Mix them in a calorimeter.
- Record the temperature rise.
- Calculate heat released using q = mcΔT.
8. Why does the acetone–chloroform system show negative deviation from Raoult’s law?
The acetone–chloroform system shows negative deviation from Raoult’s law because stronger interactions form between unlike molecules. Specifically:
- Hydrogen bonding between acetone and chloroform lowers escaping tendency.
- The vapor pressure of the solution is lower than expected.
- The intermolecular attraction reduces volatility.
9. What happens to the temperature when acetone and chloroform are mixed?
The temperature increases when acetone and chloroform are mixed because the process is exothermic. Since ΔH is negative:
- Heat is released during hydrogen bond formation.
- The solution becomes warmer.
- The temperature rise can be measured using a thermometer or calorimeter.
10. How does the interaction between acetone and chloroform differ from ideal solution behavior?
The interaction between acetone and chloroform differs from an ideal solution because it involves strong specific hydrogen bonding between unlike molecules. In an ideal solution:
- Intermolecular forces between A–A, B–B, and A–B are similar.
- ΔHmix = 0.
- No heat is absorbed or evolved.
- ΔHmix < 0.
- Strong O···H–C hydrogen bonding occurs.
- The solution shows negative deviation from Raoult’s law.





















