Boiling Points of Alkanoic Acids (1 Viewer)

[jaspreet]

Is the difference in boiling points between alkanoic acids and alkanols caused by an extra hydrogen bond allowed by alkanoic acids or by the net dipole resulting in dipole-dipole interactions as well as the existing hydrogen bond. Most textbooks say because of two H-bonds, some say dipole-dipole interactions, the board of studies accepts both. Which one is the actual correct answer? I personally reckon its because of the dipole-dipole interactions. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanx.

 

[CM_Tutor]

The extra hydrogen bodning is the dominant effect here, although the differences in strength of dipole-dipole interactions (due to greater polarity) and dispersion forces (due to greater molar mass, and hence the larger number of electrons) do have some effect.