Question

Question: Rank the following alkanes in order of increasing boiling point.

Short answer

Answer

Step-by-step solution

Factor affecting boiling point

The boiling point in hydrocarbons decreases with the intermolecular force of attraction between the carbon atoms.

The more the branching in the molecule, the lesser the intermolecular forces of attraction between the carbon atoms, and the lower the boiling point.

Explanation

The second molecule among the given molecules has no branching. The third molecule has the highest branching, and the second molecule has the least branching.

Therefore, the boiling point is the highest for hexane and the least for 2,3-dimethylbutane.

The increasing order of boiling point