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Chemistry · L4 · Ranking boiling points: combining size and IMF type

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A worked reasoning path for ranking a real series of compounds by boiling point — weighing polarizability (molar mass/size) against the strongest intermolecular force each compound can form.

by @openstemUpdated Chemistry
List the compoundsto rank by boiling pointFind the molar mass of eachcompound (a proxy for polarizability /dispersion strength)Identify the strongest IMFeach compound can form —dispersion, dipole-dipole,or hydrogen bondingAre the molar massesroughly similar?Rank directly by IMF strength —dispersion, then dipole-dipole,then hydrogen bondingWeigh the extra dispersionstrength of the heavier one againstthe stronger IMF of the lighter oneBoiling point rises in this order —butane (58 g/mol, dispersion),acetone (58 g/mol, dipole-dipole),propanol (60 g/mol, H-bonding)Water (18 g/mol, H-bonding network)can out-boil far heavierdispersion-only moleculesYesNo

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