Which among the following has highest boiling point?

Which among the following has highest boiling point?




Solution

Boiling points of isomeric alcohols are determined by intermolecular forces, particularly hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions.

All C$_{4}$H$_{10}$O isomers exhibit hydrogen bonding due to the -OH group. Van der Waals forces depend on molecular surface area, which decreases with branching.

Butan-1-ol (A) is straight-chain with maximum surface area. Butan-2-ol (C) is straight-chain but secondary. 2-Methylpropan-1-ol (B) has one branch. 2-Methylpropan-2-ol (D) is highly branched tertiary.

Boiling points decrease with increased branching: A (117.7 $^{\circ}$C) $>$ C (99.5 $^{\circ}$C) $>$ B (107.9 $^{\circ}$C) $>$ D (82.5 $^{\circ}$C).

Asked in: MHT CET 2025 (26 April Shift 2)

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