Question

Explain why alcohols and ethers of comparable molecular mass have different boiling points?

Answer 1

The ethers have low polarity and as a result, do not show any association by intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
Since a lesser amount of energy is required than to break weak dipole-dipole forces in ethers than to break strong hydrogen bonds in alcohol.
$C{H}_{3}C{H}_2-O-H\cdots \underset{\underset{H}{|}}{O}-C{H}_2-C{H}_3$
Hydrogen bond in alcohols

Therefore, ethers have low boiling points and lower than that of isomeric alcohols and almost the same as those of alkanes of comparable molecular masses. The large difference in boiling points of alcohols and ethers is due to the presence of hydrogen bonding in alcohols.