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Polarity of maltose
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VroomVroom:
Hey, anyone know the overall polarity of maltose? (polar or nonpolar) I also need to know why maltose is polar/nonpolar overall.
So far, I found the differences of electronegativities and determined that the oxygens in maltose (C12H22O11) form dipoles with the hydrogen atoms and the carbon atoms they are bonded to. I saw that the majority of the molecule has dipoles so I think that overall maltose should be polar.
Are there other more valid reasons for why maltose is polar or is that it? Or am I wrong?
Thanks in advance for trying to help. :)
Mitch:
Your reasoning is fine.
savoy7:
You asked, "Are there other more valid reasons for why maltose is polar or is that it? Or am I wrong?"
I concur with Mitch. Some other ways to get a quick answer for polarity (- not always correct) is to think about it's ability to dissolve in water. Usually, water dissolves polar and doesn't dissolve nonpolar. Sugar dissolves in water, so on a quick glance, it's polar. Other tricks: hydroxyl groups can point to being polar & symmetry - the hydroxyl groups on the sugar are not balanced out , which also points towards it being polar.
Again one of the best ways is to look at the structure and if it has dipoles, which is what you did.
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