Question

While separating a mixture of ortho and para nitrophenols by steam distillation, name the isomer which will be steam volatile. Give reason.

Answer 1

Ortho-nitrophenol is steam volatile. The reason is chelation due to intramolecular H-bonding. So, it can be separated by steam distillation from p-nitrophenol. Para-nitrophenol is not steam volatile due to the presence of intermolecular H-bonding.