Intermolecular Interactions: conceptual content on the topic in undergraduate chemistry in the opinions of researchers

Abstract

Intermolecular interactions are fundamental in the context of chemical knowledge, since the nature and magnitude of such interactions define the physicochemical properties of substances. The present work aimed to investigate, based on researchers' conceptions, what a chemist should know about intermolecular interactions, what are the fundamental concepts and main ideas on the subject. A qualitative methodology was applied, using semi-structured interviews as a data collection tool, which were analyzed from a theoretical framework with a focus on conceptual content (data/facts, concepts and principles). And the results showed that the theme should be seen with greater centrality during graduation in chemistry, the interviewees pointed out the need to improve the approach to the theme with an emphasis on deeper knowledge of molecular structures, which implies understanding the concepts of polarity and polarizability , in the perception that several types of interactions can act in the same system and relate the interaction energies, their magnitudes in function of the intermolecular separations. It is essential that the additive and universal character of the dispersive forces is evidenced in the approach to the theme, as well as the notion of the typical distances and angles of hydrogen bonds, in addition to the models that deal with the different contributions to the total interaction energy. The use of potential energy equations can be a resource to be explored, especially for providing a unified view with the contribution of different types of interaction, in addition to demonstrating the importance of molecular parameters and intermolecular distances correlated to energy. The specialists also pointed out the need to improve the approach to the subject, with emphasis both on aspects of the nature of interactions, and on the atomic-molecular interpretation of macroscopic phenomena, based on aspects of theory, experimentation and simulation.