Question

How do functional groups affect the boiling point?

Answer 1

It depends on the functional group, however, most functional groups will increase intermolecular forces in one way or another. For example, if -OH is the functional group, we are adding hydrogen bonding (dipole-dipole and London dipsersons as well). This increasing in intermolecular forces will increase the boiling point. This will be true for all functional groups....not necessarily the type of IMF's, but the IMF's will increase, therefore increasing the boiling point.