There are two isomers that have the molecular formula, C_2H_6OC2H6O. One isomer boils at 23.7 degrees C while the other boils at 78.4 degrees C. How do you draw the structure of each isomer? What is the IUPAC name for each one?

1 Answer
Jan 7, 2017

Well, one isomer is "H"_3"CCH"_2"OH"H3CCH2OH, "ethanol"ethanol, or "ethyl alcohol"ethyl alcohol.

Explanation:

And t'other is "H"_3"COCH"_3H3COCH3, "dimethyl ether"dimethyl ether, or (I think) the approved IUPAC name is "methoxymethane"methoxymethane.

Why do you think the ether is so much more volatile than the alcohol?