Question:
Arrange the following compounds in increasing order of their boiling points.
CH3CHO, CH3CH2OH, CH3OCH3, CH3CH2CH3
Solution:
The molecular masses of the given compounds are in the range 44 to 46. CH3CH2OH undergoes extensive intermolecular H-bonding, resulting in the association of molecules. Therefore, it has the highest boiling point. CH3CHO is more polar than CH3OCH3 and so CH3CHO has stronger intermolecular dipole − dipole attraction than CH3OCH3⋅ CH3CH2CH3 has only weak van der Waals force. Thus, the arrangement of the given compounds in the increasing order of their boiling points is given by:
CH3CH2CH3 < CH3OCH3 < CH3CHO < CH3CH2OH