chemistry question #136

Lori Lancaster, a 39 year old female from the Internet asks on February 18, 2000,

Q:

Why does a saturated solution of calcium acetate gel when either ethanol or isopropanol is added to it?
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the answer

Reg Mitchell answered on February 18, 2000, A:

The logical answer is that you get a hydrogen bonded network between the OH groups of the solvent and the acetate groups of the solute and water, which has some rigidity.

Hydrogen bonding applies to alcohols and water, compounds with OH groups. It is the weak force between the H (hydrogen) on one end, and the OH (hydroxyl) on the other. This is what gives water a lot of its incredible characteristics.

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