Zaymiey

🧪 Chemistry  ·  Alcohols, Phenols & Ethers  ·  NEET & JEE

Why do alcohols have higher boiling points than alkanes?

Answer: Hydrogen bonding.

  • A Ionic bonding
  • B Hydrogen bonding
  • C Metallic bonding
  • D Pi bonding

Correct answer: B. Hydrogen bonding

Explanation: Alcohol molecules form intermolecular hydrogen bonds which increase boiling point.

Why Phenol Is More Acidic Than an AlcoholO⁻phenoxide ioncharge delocalised into ring (resonance)stabilisedCO⁻alkoxide ion (ethanol)charge stuck on one O, NOT stabilised

The phenoxide ion's negative charge spreads into the aromatic ring through resonance, lowering its energy and making phenol give up its proton more easily; an alkoxide ion (from a plain alcohol) has nowhere to delocalise the charge, making alcohols far less acidic.

Concept context

Oxygen-containing organic compounds. Understand the acidic nature of phenols, reactions of alcohols (dehydration, oxidation, esterification), and properties of ethers. Includes industrial applications and named reactions.

Read the full Alcohols, Phenols & Ethers notes →