Which compound has the highest boiling point?
A CH₃CH₂;CH₂OH
B CH₃CH₂CHO
C CH₃COCH₃
D CH₃COOCH₃ - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 5 - 2017 - Paper 3
Question 5
Which compound has the highest boiling point?
A CH₃CH₂;CH₂OH
B CH₃CH₂CHO
C CH₃COCH₃
D CH₃COOCH₃
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which compound has the highest boiling point?
A CH₃CH₂;CH₂OH
B CH₃CH₂CHO
C CH₃COCH₃
D CH₃COOCH₃ - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 5 - 2017 - Paper 3
Step 1
Determine the boiling points of each compound
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
To determine which compound has the highest boiling point, we should consider the molecular structure and the presence of functional groups that influence boiling points such as hydrogen bonding and molecular weight.
A: CH₃CH₂CH₂OH (1-Propanol)
Contains an -OH group allowing for hydrogen bonding, which generally increases boiling point.
B: CH₃CH₂CHO (2-Butanal)
Is an aldehyde and does not participate in hydrogen bonding as effectively as alcohols.
C: CH₃COCH₃ (Acetone)
Is a ketone, which has a moderate boiling point due to some polar interactions, but weaker than alcohol.
D: CH₃COOCH₃ (Methyl Acetate)
Is an ester. It has lower boiling points compared to alcohols due to weaker dipole-dipole interactions.
Given the above analysis, compound A (1-Propanol) will have the highest boiling point due to its ability to form hydrogen bonds.
Step 2
Identify the compound with the highest boiling point
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Based on the analysis, the compound with the highest boiling point is A: CH₃CH₂CH₂OH (1-Propanol) due to the presence of the hydroxyl (-OH) group, facilitating strong hydrogen bonding.