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Q9.15:
What effect does branching of an alkane chain has on its boiling point?
Solution :
Step 1: Theoretical Basis of Intermolecular Forces in Alkanes
Alkanes are non-polar molecules held together primarily by weak London dispersion forces (also known as van der Waals forces). The magnitude of these forces is directly proportional to the surface area of contact between adjacent molecules. [Per the principles of London Dispersion Force theory].
Step 2: Geometric Analysis of Branching
As the degree of branching in an alkane chain increases, the molecule shifts from a linear, elongated geometry to a more compact, spherical shape. This geometric transformation significantly reduces the total surface area available for intermolecular contact.
Step 3: Correlation Between Structure, Dispersion Forces, and Boiling Point
Boiling point is defined as the temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid equals the external pressure. To transition from the liquid state to the gaseous state, sufficient kinetic energy must be supplied to overcome the intermolecular forces holding the molecules together.
| Property | Linear Alkane | Branched Alkane |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular Geometry | Elongated/Extended | Compact/Spherical |
| Contact Surface Area | High | Low |
| Magnitude of van der Waals Forces | Stronger | Weaker |
| Boiling Point | Higher | Lower |
Step 4: Conclusion of the Effect
Because branching reduces the contact surface area between molecules, the strength of the London dispersion forces decreases. Consequently, less thermal energy is required to overcome these forces in branched alkanes compared to their linear isomers of the same molecular mass. [By the kinetic molecular theory and van der Waals interactions].
Final Solution: The boiling point of an alkane decreases as the degree of branching increases due to the reduction in effective surface area and a corresponding decrease in the strength of London dispersion forces.
More Questions from Class 11 Chemistry Hydrocarbons EXERCISES
- Q9.1: How do you account for the formation of ethane during chlorination of methane ?
- Q9.10: Why is benzene extra ordinarily stable though it contains three double bonds?
- Q9.11: What are the necessary conditions for any system to be aromatic?
- Q9.12(i): Explain why the following systems are not aromatic? (i)
- Q9.12(ii): Explain why the following systems are not aromatic? (ii)
- Q9.12(iii): Explain why the following systems are not aromatic? (iii)
- Q9.13(i): How will you convert benzene into (i) $p$-nitrobromobenzene
- Q9.13(ii): How will you convert benzene into (ii) $m$-nitrochlorobenzene
- Q9.13(iii): How will you convert benzene into (iii) $p$-nitrotoluene
- Q9.13(iv): How will you convert benzene into (iv) acetophenone?
- Q9.14: In the alkane $H_3C-CH_2-C(CH_3)_2-CH_2-CH(CH_3)_2$, identify $1^{\circ},2^{\circ},3^{\circ}$ carbon atoms and give the number of H atoms bonded to each one of these.
- Q9.16: Addition of HBr to propene yields 2-bromopropane, while in the presence of benzoyl peroxide, the same reaction yields 1-bromopropane. Explain and give mechanism.
- Q9.17: Write down the products of ozonolysis of 1,2-dimethylbenzene ($o$-xylene). How does the result support Kekulé structure for benzene?
- Q9.18: Arrange benzene, $n$-hexane and ethyne in decreasing order of acidic behaviour. Also give reason for this behaviour.
- Q9.19: Why does benzene undergo electrophilic substitution reactions easily and nucleophilic substitutions with difficulty?
- Q9.2(a): Write IUPAC names of the following compounds : (a) $CH_3CH=C(CH_3)_2$
- Q9.2(b): Write IUPAC names of the following compounds : (b) $CH_2=CH-C \equiv C-CH_3$
- Q9.2(c): Write IUPAC names of the following compounds : (c)
- Q9.2(d): Write IUPAC names of the following compounds : (d)
- Q9.2(e): Write IUPAC names of the following compounds : (e)
- Q9.2(f): Write IUPAC names of the following compounds : (f)
- Q9.2(g): Write IUPAC names of the following compounds : (g)
- Q9.20(i): How would you convert the following compounds into benzene? (i) Ethyne
- Q9.20(ii): How would you convert the following compounds into benzene? (ii) Ethene
- Q9.20(iii): How would you convert the following compounds into benzene? (iii) Hexane
- Q9.21: Write structures of all the alkenes which on hydrogenation give 2-methylbutane.
- Q9.22(a): Arrange the following set of compounds in order of their decreasing relative reactivity with an electrophile, $E^+$ (a) Chlorobenzene, 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene, $p$-nitrochlorobenzene
- Q9.22(b): Arrange the following set of compounds in order of their decreasing relative reactivity with an electrophile, $E^+$ (b) Toluene, $p-H_3C-C_6H_4-NO_2$, $p-O_2N-C_6H_4-NO_2$.
- Q9.23: Out of benzene, $m$-dinitrobenzene and toluene which will undergo nitration most easily and why?
- Q9.24: Suggest the name of a Lewis acid other than anhydrous aluminium chloride which can be used during ethylation of benzene.
- Q9.25: Why is Wurtz reaction not preferred for the preparation of alkanes containing odd number of carbon atoms? Illustrate your answer by taking one example.
- Q9.3(a): For the following compounds, write structural formulas and IUPAC names for all possible isomers having the number of double or triple bond as indicated : (a) $C_4H_8$ (one double bond)
- Q9.3(b): For the following compounds, write structural formulas and IUPAC names for all possible isomers having the number of double or triple bond as indicated : (b) $C_5H_8$ (one triple bond)
- Q9.4(i): Write IUPAC names of the products obtained by the ozonolysis of the following compounds : (i) Pent-2-ene
- Q9.4(ii): Write IUPAC names of the products obtained by the ozonolysis of the following compounds : (ii) 3,4-Dimethylhept-3-ene
- Q9.4(iii): Write IUPAC names of the products obtained by the ozonolysis of the following compounds : (iii) 2-Ethylbut-1-ene
- Q9.4(iv): Write IUPAC names of the products obtained by the ozonolysis of the following compounds : (iv) 1-Phenylbut-1-ene
- Q9.5: An alkene ‘$A$’ on ozonolysis gives a mixture of ethanal and pentan-3-one. Write structure and IUPAC name of ‘$A$’.
- Q9.6: An alkene ‘$A$’ contains three $C-C$, eight $C-H$ $\sigma$ bonds and one $C-C$ $\pi$ bond. ‘$A$’ on ozonolysis gives two moles of an aldehyde of molar mass 44 u. Write IUPAC name of ‘$A$’.
- Q9.7: Propanal and pentan-3-one are the ozonolysis products of an alkene? What is the structural formula of the alkene?
- Q9.8(i): Write chemical equations for combustion reaction of the following hydrocarbons: (i) Butane
- Q9.8(ii): Write chemical equations for combustion reaction of the following hydrocarbons: (ii) Pentene
- Q9.8(iii): Write chemical equations for combustion reaction of the following hydrocarbons: (iii) Hexyne
- Q9.8(iv): Write chemical equations for combustion reaction of the following hydrocarbons: (iv) Toluene
- Q9.9: Draw the cis and trans structures of hex-2-ene. Which isomer will have higher b.p. and why?
CBSE Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry Hydrocarbons
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