Question

explain why o-nitrophenol has low melting and boiling point and is less soluble in water in compare to para-nitrophenol?

Answer 1

this is because o-nitrophenol has intramolecular h-bonds while para-nitrophenol has intermolecular h-bonds.... as we know that intramolecular h-bonds are weaker than intermolecular h-bonds. Hence more energy is required to break intermolecular h-bonds. hence boiling and mealting point of para-nitrophenol is greater than o-nitrophenol