Predict the trend in boiling points for the following compounds (1 being the lowest boiling point). Water Pentane Ethanol Iso-pentane Sodium n-butoxide Submit Answer

Explanation:

It is known that boiling point is the temperature at which vapor pressure of a liquid becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure. In hydrocarbons, more linearly the carbon atoms are attached to each other more will be the boiling point of the compound because of increase in surface area of the compound.  

And, more is the branching present in a compound lesser will be its boiling point.

Also, more is the intermolecular strength present in a compound more will be its boiling point.  In water, there will be hydrogen bonding due to which there is strong intermolecular forces of attraction in water molecules. Hence, it will have high boiling point.

Thus, we can conclude that given compounds are ranked from lowest to highest boiling point as follows.

    Iso-pentane < Pentane < Ehatnol < sodium n-butoxide < water