The boiling points of chloromethane (CH₃Cl) and dichlormethane (CH₂Cl₂) are - 24 ^$\circ$C and 40.^$\circ$C respectively. The boiling point of trichloromethane (CHCl₃) is predicted to be: A) 40.^$\circ$C C) - 24 ^$\circ$C and

Question

The boiling points of chloromethane (CH₃Cl) and dichlormethane (CH₂Cl₂) are - 24 ^$\circ$C and 40.^$\circ$C respectively. The boiling point of trichloromethane (CHCl₃) is predicted to be: A) < - 24 ^$\circ$C B) > 40.^$\circ$C C) > - 24 ^$\circ$C and < 40.^$\circ$C D) - 24 ^$\circ$C E) 40.^$\circ$C

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As the number of chlorine atoms increases in chloromethanes, the molecular weight and the intermolecular forces (such as dipole-dipole interactions and London dispersion forces) increase, leading to a higher boiling point. Therefore, trichloromethane, with three chlorine atoms, would have a higher boiling point than both chloromethane and dichloromethane.

The Boiling Points of Chloromethane (CH3Cl) and Dichlormethane (CH2Cl2) Are ∘\circ∘

The Boiling Points of Chloromethane (CH₃Cl) and Dichlormethane (CH₂Cl₂) Are $\circ$