Question

An ether is more volatile than an alcohol having the same molecular formula. This is due to:

• A. Dipolar character of ethers
• B. Alcohols having resonance structures
• C. Inter- molecular hydrogen bonding in ethers
• D. Inter- molecular hydrogen bonding in alcohols

Answer 1

The correct option is D Inter- molecular hydrogen bonding in alcohols

Ethers have less boiling point or are more volatile than alcohols because the latter have inter-molecular hydrogen bonding.
In alcohols, the hydrogen atoms are attached with the electronegative $O$ atoms. So, the $H$ atom bonded to oxygen can form an hydrogen bond with $O$ atom of another $-OH$ group.
The hydrogen bonds leads to intermolecular association due to which more amount of energy is required to break the bonds. Hence, higher will be the boiling point and lesser will be the volatility of alcohols.
In ethers, the $H$ atom is not bonded with the oxygen atom. So, hydrogen bonding is not possible.