Which of the following isomers of C_4H_9OH has lowest boiling point ?

MHT CET 2026 Chemistry question

Which of the following isomers of has lowest boiling point ?

(A)n - Butyl alcohol
(B)Isobutyl alcohol
(C)sec-Butyl alcohol
(D)tert Butyl alcoholCorrect

Answer: (D)

Solution

Isomeric alcohols have the same molar mass and the same intermolecular hydrogen bonding, so the boiling point is decided by the surface area of the alkyl part: with increased branching the molecule becomes more compact/spherical, the surface area falls, and van der Waals forces weaken, lowering the boiling

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Question ID VK-100270