Question

The correct order of boiling point for primary $\left(1^{}\right)$, secondary $\left(2^{}\right)$ and tertiary $\left(3^{}\right)$ alcohols is:

• A. $1^{}>2^{}>3^{}$
• B. $3^{}>2^{}>1^{}$
• C. $2^{}>1^{}>3^{}$
• D. $2^{}>3^{}>1^{}$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $1^{}>2^{}>3^{}$

Alcohols with same molecular weight are expected to have almost same boiling point however two more factors other than molecular weight are important, they are namely H-bonding and surface area of molecule. Both these factors are least in $3$ alcohols and maximum in $1$ alcohols. Hence, $3$ alcohols have least boiling point while $1$ alcohols have maximum boiling point.