Question

Explain, why are boiling points of carboxylic acids higher than corresponding alcohols.

Answer 1

Because of their ability to form intermolecular hydrogen bonding, carboxylic acids have high boiling points as compared to the corresponding alcohol. The hydrogen bond formed by the carboxylic acids are stronger than those in alcohols because $O-H$ bond in $COOH$ is more strongly polarised due to the presence of electron withdrawing carboxy group in adjacent position then the $O-H$ bonds of alcohols. Therefore, the boiling points of carboxylic acids particularly lower members, are higher than alcohol of comparable molecular masses. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding in carboxylic acid.