Examine the following list of compounds: Isobutyl alcohol, tert-Butyl alcohol, Diethyl ether, n-Buta — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

n-Butyl alcohol ($117^\circ\text{C}$) has a higher boiling point than its branched isomers: isobutyl alcohol ($108^\circ\text{C}$) and tert-butyl alcohol ($82.5^\circ\text{C}$) due to maximum surface area and van der Waals forces. It also has a higher boiling point than diethyl ether and n-butane because alcohols form extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonds, while ethers and alkanes do not. Therefore, all 4 compounds have lower boiling points.