Question

Aqueous solutions of isopropyl alcohol are commonly sold as rubbing alcohol. The boiling point of isopropyl alcohol is 82.4 °C. It evaporates readily from the surface of the skin. Ethylene glycol (CH2OHCH2OH) is sold as antifreeze/antiboil. The boiling point of ethylene glycol is 198 °C. The molecular masses of isopropyl alcohol and ethylene glycol are similar. Provide an explanation for the observed difference in their boiling points.

Answer 1

Answer:

This is due to more hydrogen bonding in ethylene glycol than it is in isopropyl alcohol

Explanation:

The boiling point of isopropyl alcohol is 82.4 °C it contains only a single OH group, hence intermolecular hydrogen bonding is solely responsible for it's boiling point, whereas Ethylene glycol (CH2OHCH2OH) contains 2-OH group and both intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding are responsible for the higher boiling point of ethylene glycol at 198 °C.