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Methanol and ethanol differ only by one carbon and 2 hydrogens. Both have the hydroxyl group and, thus, have hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole interactions. What makes them different are their London forces (London forces are directly proportional to the number of electrons in a molecule and molecular size). Since methanol is smaller than ethanol, there is a smaller intermolecular London force. Less force holing the molecules together means they're easier to be pulled apart, which implies a lower boiling point.

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5mo ago

Methanol has a lower boiling point than ethanol because it has weaker intermolecular forces due to its smaller molecular size. The smaller molecules of methanol experience weaker London dispersion forces compared to ethanol, which has larger molecules with stronger intermolecular forces, making it harder to overcome and boil.

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Because Methanol non-covalent interaction and in particular its hydrogen bonding is weak

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Q: Why does methanol have a lower boiling point than ethanol?
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Related questions

Why does the boiling point of methylated spirits drop?

The boiling point of methanol is lower than the boiling point of ethanol.


What liquid is more volatile between ethanol methanol acetone dichloromethane and water?

Ethanol boiling point: 78.37 °C Methanol Boiling point: 64.7 °C Acetone Boiling point: 56 to 57 °C dichloromethane Boiling Point: 39.8-40.0°C Water Boiling Point: 100°C dichloromethane more volatile than the others


How do you remove methanol out of an ethanol mixture?

Methanol has a Boiling point under standard conditions of 64.7 °C, and ethanol of 78.4 °C. You I can boil off vapor and collect Methanol and Ethanol, and use that cooled back down to liquid form and preform a test.


Does ethanol has the lower boiling point?

It depends what chemical or compound you are comparing the boiling point to. Ethanol has an atmospheric pressure boiling point of 78.1 °C (172.6 °F). This is slightly lower than the boiling point of water at the same pressure, much lower than the boiling point of iron, much higher than the boiling point of bromine.


What is the boiling point of alchohol?

ethanol boils at 78.3 degrees Centigrade methanol boils at 64.7 degrees Centigrade


How would boiling point of ethanol be affected by high altitude?

The boiling point of ethanol would be lower at high altitudes compared to sea level. This is because the atmospheric pressure is lower at high altitudes, which requires less heat to reach the boiling point of a liquid like ethanol.


What effect does adding water have on the boiling point of ethanol?

Adding water to ethanol lowers its boiling point. This is because water forms an azeotrope with ethanol, which alters the vapor pressure of the mixture, resulting in a lower boiling point compared to pure ethanol.


Using the handbook of chemical data find the boiling point at 1 ATM for the following substances acetone methyl ethyl ketone methanol ethanol reference?

Acetone: Boiling point at 1 ATM = 56.05°C Methyl Ethyl Ketone: Boiling point at 1 ATM = 79.64°C Methanol: Boiling point at 1 ATM = 64.7°C Ethanol: Boiling point at 1 ATM = 78.37°C


After obtaining a mixture of ethanol and pure water from a mixture of ethanol and sea water through distillation which liquid will be collected first and last?

During distillation of a mixture of ethanol and sea water, ethanol will be collected first as it has a lower boiling point than water. Water will be collected last, as it has a higher boiling point and will vaporize after ethanol has been collected.


How the bolling point of methanol can be reduces?

You can either pressurize it or add to it another liquid with a lower boiling point.


Why does methanol mix completely with ethanol?

Methanol and ethanol are both polar molecules with similar structures, allowing them to mix well together. They form hydrogen bonds with each other, which helps them fully dissolve and mix at a molecular level.


Which one is used as antifreeze methanol or ethanol?

Both methanol and ethanol can be used as antifreeze, but methanol is more commonly used due to its lower freezing point and better compatibility with engine materials. However, ethanol is also used as an antifreeze in some applications, particularly in countries where it is more readily available.