Question

Give reason for the higher boiling point of ethanol in comparison to methoxymethane.

Answer 1

Ethanol undergoes intermolecular H-bonding due to the presence of -OH group, resulting in the association of molecules. Extra energy is required to break these hydrogen bonds. On the other hand, methoxymethane does not undergo H-bonding. Hence, the boiling point of ethanol is higher than that of methoxymethane.

Answer 2

When the Ethanol is boiled at the highest point then the intermolecular H-bonding atoms will turn to be a part of molecules association since the –OH group will be present in the reaction.

Hence, we will need some extra energy in order to break out the bond.

Whereas when the Methoxymethane is reacted, it will not show such reaction.

Hence ethanol will have a high boiling point.