Question

Which of the following compounds has the highest boiling point?

• A. Butanol
• B. Diethylether
• C. Butane
• D. Butanol

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

To determine which compound has the highest boiling point, let's consider each of the given options and analyze them based on intermolecular forces:

1. Butanol (C₄H₉OH):
   • Butanol is an alcohol, which contains an -OH group capable of forming hydrogen bonds between molecules.
   • Hydrogen bonding is a strong intermolecular force that significantly increases the boiling point of the compound.
2. Diethyl ether (C₄H₁₀O):
   • Diethyl ether contains an oxygen atom but does not form hydrogen bonds because the hydrogens are attached to carbon, not oxygen.
   • The primary intermolecular forces here are dipole-dipole interactions and London dispersion forces, which are weaker compared to hydrogen bonds.
3. Butane (C₄H₁₀):
   • Butane is a hydrocarbon, which primarily exhibits London dispersion forces, the weakest type of van der Waals forces.
   • The lack of strong intermolecular attractions leads to a lower boiling point.

Considering the strengths of the intermolecular forces, butanol exhibits hydrogen bonding, which is much stronger compared to dipole-dipole interactions in diethyl ether and dispersion forces in butane.

Conclusion: The compound with the highest boiling point is Butanol due to the presence of hydrogen bonds.