CBSE Class 12 Chemistry 2014 Delhi Set 1 Solved Paper

© examsnet.com
Question : 5
Total: 30
Which of the following isomers is more volatile: o-nitrophenol or p-nitrophenol?
Solution:  
o-nitrophenol is more volatile than p-nitrophenol.

In para nitrophenol, intermolecular hydrogen bonding is present.
This intermolecular hydrogen bonding causes the association of molecules.
In o-nitrophenol an intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the partial positively charged (δ+) hydrogen of phenolic group and between the partial negatively charged ( δ) oxygen of nitro group. So, it involves only a single molecule, and the boiling point is lesser and so the compound is highly volatile.
In p-nitrophenol, there exists intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Here, positively charged (δ+) hydrogen in the phenolic group of one molecule and the partial negatively charged (δ) oxygen in nitro group of another molecule. So, the hydrogen bonding involves multiple molecules. The boiling point is higher and compound is less volatile compared to o-nitrophenol.
© examsnet.com
Go to Question: