In: Chemistry
Rank the following molecules in order of increasing boiling point: methoxymethane, propane, ethanoic acid, ethanol. Explain why.
Order of boiling points : propane < methoxymethane < ethanol < ethanoic acid
Carboxylic acids have higher boiling points than alcohols because acids have the capability to form dimer through hydrogen bonding.
Acohols have higher boiling points than ethers and alaknes due to hydrogen bonding
Ethers have higher boiling points than alkanes due to dipole -dipole interactions .
Hydrogen bonding:
Hydrogen bonding is an electrostatic attraction between hydrogen atom which is attached highly electronegative atom like F,N,O of one molecule and nearby highly electronegative atom of another molecule.
Ex: H-O--H , F-H---F, N-H---N