The most suitable method of separation of equal (1:1) mixture of ortho-nitrophenol and para-nitrophenol is:
A
Crystallisation
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B
Distillation
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C
Sublimation
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D
Chromatography
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Solution
The correct option is C Distillation The compound, o-nitrophenol shows intramolecular hydrogen bonding, whereas p-nitrophenol shows intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
Two molecules of p-nitrophenol associate to form a dimer. Such dimer formation is not possible in o-nitrophenol.
Hence, p-nitrophenol boils at a higher temperature because of this dimer formation.
Thus, the boiling point of o-nitrophenol is much lower than the boiling point of p-nitrophenol. Hence, these two isomers can be separated by distillation.