Question

Which of the possible intermolecular forces in CH3OH most influences its boiling point?

Answer 1

There are mainly two out of the possible intermolecular forces of attraction in methanol : Dipole dipole and Hydrogen bonding. The intermolecular force of attraction which affects the boiling point of methanol given is Hydrogen Bonding.

Hydrogen bonding which is a bond between H atom and euther of F, O, N ( here oxygen of alcohol) is a stronger force of attraction then the dipole dipole force which is just the force between two polar molecules ( Methanol is polar species i.e, it has charge seperation because of the electronegativity difference between Oxygen and Carbon whuch tends to brung a partial negative charge on Oxygen and similarly partual positive on Carbon).

Therefore, Hydrogen bond between methanol molecules in the solution tend to keep them together and prevent them from vaporizing into the air thus increasing ita boiling point than any other alkane with similar molecular mass.