0 votes
26 views
in Organic Chemistry by (2.4k points)
What is the boiling point of cyclohexane and n-hexane at atmospheric pressure, and why is it higher for cyclohexane despite having the same number of carbon atoms as n-hexane?

1 Answer

0 votes
by (2.2k points)
The boiling point of cyclohexane at atmospheric pressure is approximately 80.7C  177.3F , while the boiling point of n-hexane is approximately 68.7C  155.7F .Although both cyclohexane and n-hexane have the same number of carbon atoms  six , their boiling points differ due to their molecular structures and the strength of the intermolecular forces between their molecules.Cyclohexane has a cyclic structure, which means that its carbon atoms are arranged in a ring. This arrangement allows for stronger London dispersion forces  a type of van der Waals force  between its molecules compared to n-hexane, which has a linear structure. London dispersion forces are temporary attractive forces that occur between molecules due to the random movement of electrons. In general, larger and more complex molecules have stronger London dispersion forces.The stronger London dispersion forces in cyclohexane result in a higher boiling point compared to n-hexane, as more energy is required to overcome these forces and convert the liquid into a gas.

Related questions

Welcome to Sarvan Science Q&A, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of the community.
...