Final answer:
Option D: Methanol (CH3CH2OH) is the only compound in the list provided that is capable of hydrogen bonding, with its O-H group acting as a hydrogen bond donor and the lone pairs on oxygen allowing it to be a hydrogen bond acceptor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked which of the following compounds is capable of hydrogen bonding: A. CH3OCH3 B. CH3COCH3 C. H2CO D. CH3CH2OH E. CH3F. To answer this question, we look for a compound with a hydrogen atom attached to O, N, or F, as these are typically able to act as hydrogen bond donors. In addition, any molecule capable of hydrogen bonding also needs lone pairs of electrons to act as a hydrogen bond acceptor.
Among the given compounds, only methanol (CH3CH2OH) has the necessary components for hydrogen bonding. It has a hydrogen atom bonded to an oxygen atom (O-H group), which can act as a hydrogen bond donor. Also, the oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electrons, making it possible for methanol to act as a hydrogen bond acceptor as well. Therefore, methanol (CH3CH2OH) is capable of forming hydrogen bonds by acting as both a donor and an acceptor.