-1
$\begingroup$

Why o-Nitrophenol is more steam volatile than p-Nitrophenol?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
1

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
4
$\begingroup$

o-Nitrophenol forms intramolecular H bond whereas molecules of p-Nitrophenol get associated through intermolecular H bond. During boiling, the strong intermolecular H bonding increases the boiling point but intramolecular H bonding cannot do so.

Therefore, o-Nitrophenol is more steam volatile than p-Nitrophenol.

enter image description here enter image description here

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ I understand that there is intramolecular hydrogen bonding in o-Nitrophenol. But, how does that prevent it from interacting with surrounding o-Nitrophenol? Consider 3 charges in space. Say Charge 1 interacts with Charge 2 (let's name it 1-2 interaction). The '1-2 interaction' is not going to affect the '1-3 interaction or 3-2 interaction'. Does it? $\endgroup$
    – Kaushik
    Commented Feb 17, 2021 at 17:09
0
$\begingroup$

There are two types of hydrogen bond.One is intermolecular hydrogen bond and other is intramolecular hydrogen bond.Intermolecular H-Bond increase the melting point,boiling point of compounds having them while the intramolecular H-Bond have mostly opposite effects to that of intermolecular H-Bond(it decreases melting and boiling point).Since o-nitrophenol forms intramolecular H bond it have low Melting boiling point than p-nitrophenol(which form intermolecular H-Bond).That's why o-Nitrophenol is more steam volatile than p-Nitrophenol.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.