Why does ethanoyl chloride have a lower boiling point that pentanoyl chloride?

This question is referring to the size of molecule and its relation to boiling point. The boiling point is higher when the intermolecular interactions are weaker. Intermolecular interactions are weaker in smaller molecules because there are weaker Van der Waal interactions between molecules, so, because ethanoyl chloride (2 c chain) is smaller than pentanoyl chloride (5 c chain), it has weaker intermolecular bonds and so has the lower boiling point.

TH
Answered by Tom H. Chemistry tutor

4392 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Calculate the mass, in grams, of CH3CH2NH2 produced from 32.9 g of CH3CH2I reacting with an excess of NH3 assuming a 70.0% yield.


What are isotopes?


What is solvent leveling? How can we distinguish between two strongly acidic solutions? (This is a challenging question and is included for interest only)


4.00 g metal carbonate, MCO3 reacts with acid to liberate a gas that occupies 0.5878 dm3 at 25˚C and 2.0 x 105 Pa. Identify the group 2 metal, M. Info: R = 8.314 J K-1 mol-1


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning