There are two isomers that have the molecular formula, #C_2H_6O#. 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?

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Answer 1 · 2017-01-07T17:44:41

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

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

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