Answer to Question #200002 in General Chemistry for Mahdi

Question

Explain in terms of their structures, why C12H26 has a higher boiling point than C8H18

Answer 1

The boiling point of each alkene is very similar to that of the alkane with the same number of carbon atoms. The more intermolecular mass is added, the higher the boiling point. Intermolecular forces of alkenes gets stronger with increase in the size of the molecules.

Hence, $C_{12}H_{26}$ has a higher boiling point than $C_8H_{18}$ .