How do the melting points of #"ortho, meta, and paranitrophenol"# compare? Do they reflect the degree of intermolecular hydrogen bonding?

1 Answer
anor277
Jul 2, 2016

The melting points of #"ortho, meta, and para-nitrophenol"# increase in that order. This does reflect the degree of intermolecular hydrogen bonding.

Explanation:

The melting points (and undoubtedly also the boiling points) of the nitro phenols reflect the degree of intermolecular hydrogen bonding. For #"orthonitrophenol"#, hydrogen bonding would be intramolecular, i.e. confined to the SAME molecule. For #"meta"# and #"para nitrophenols"#, hydrogen bonding would become intermolecular, a force between molecules. This is reflected by the higher melting points and boiling points. You will have to find these data yourself to support your argument.

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