Question

Why do alcohols possess higher boiling points as compared to those of corresponding alkanes?

Answer 1

Alcohols possess higher boiling points as compared to those of corresponding alkanes due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Hydrogen bonds are formed between the hydroxyl groups of the two molecules of an alcohol. Due to this, several molecules are associated to form a large molecule.

$H-\underset{\underset{\text{R}}{|}}{O}...H-\underset{\underset{\text{R}}{|}}{O}...H-\underset{\underset{\text{R}}{|}}{O}$