Boiling Point of Alcohols and Phenols

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Boiling point of alcohols are much higher than those of alkenes, halo alkenes or ethers of comparable molecular masses. This is because in alcohols intermolecular hydrogen bonding exists due to which a large amount of energy is required to break these bonds.

Phenols boil at higher temperatures them the arenes of comparable molecular masses. The higher boiling point of phenols is due to the pressure of intermolecular hydrogen bonding in them.

Among isomeric alcohols, the boiling point decreases with increase in branching in the alkyl group.

For isomeric alcohols the boiling points decreases with increase in branching in the alkyl group.

For isomeric alcohols, the boiling points follow the order.

Primary alcohol > secondary alcohol > tertiary alcohol

Intoxicating effect

Alcohols are known to have intoxicating effect. Methanol is poisonous and is not good for drinking purposes. It causes blindness. Ethanol can be used for drinking purposes.