Question
Straight chain alkanes have higher melting and boiling points as compared to branched isomeric alkanes. Give reason.
✓
Answer
i. The electronegativity of carbon and hydrogen is nearly the same. Therefore, C-H and C-C bonds are nonpolar covalent bonds and hence, alkanes are nonpolar.
ii. Alkane molecules are held together by weak intermolecular van der Waals forces.
iii. Larger the surface area of molecules, stronger are such intermolecular van der Waals forces.
iv. In straight chain alkane molecules, surface area is relatively larger as compared to branched chain alkanes and as a result, the intermolecular forces are relatively stronger in straight chain alkanes than in branched chain alkanes.
Hence, straight chain alkanes have higher melting and boiling points as compared to branched alkanes.
ii. Alkane molecules are held together by weak intermolecular van der Waals forces.
iii. Larger the surface area of molecules, stronger are such intermolecular van der Waals forces.
iv. In straight chain alkane molecules, surface area is relatively larger as compared to branched chain alkanes and as a result, the intermolecular forces are relatively stronger in straight chain alkanes than in branched chain alkanes.
Hence, straight chain alkanes have higher melting and boiling points as compared to branched alkanes.
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