Question

Ethers have lower boiling points than their corresponding isomeric alcohols because of?

• A. hydrogen bonding in alcohols that is absent in ethers due to low polarity
• B. hydrogen bonding in ethers due to high polarity
• C. insolubility of ethers in water due to less polarity
• D. inertness of ethers as compared to alcohols.

Answer 1

The correct option is A hydrogen bonding in alcohols that is absent in ethers due to low polarity

Ethers ROR cannot form intermolecular Hydrogen bond due to the absence of H attached with the electronegative atom as N/O/F, but in case of alcohols, they have -OH which can undergo intermolecular hydrogen bonding and that increases their boiling point.

Thus, Ethers have lower boiling points than their corresponding isomeric alcohols because of hydrogen bonding in alcohols that is absent in ethers due to low polarity.