Question

Why do alcohols possess higher boiling points as compared to those of corresponding alkanes?

Answer 1

This is because in alcohols there are intermolecular H-bonds which are stronger than Van der Waals forces of attraction in alkanes. 

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\phantom{.}\delta +\delta- \delta+\delta-\delta+\delta-\phantom{.} \delta+\phantom{.} \delta-\\
\ce{\bond{....}H-O\bond{....}H-O\bond{....}H-O\bond{....}H-O\bond{....}}\\
\phantom{............}\backslash\phantom{.......}\backslash\phantom{.......}\phantom{}\backslash\phantom{.......}\backslash\phantom{......}\\
\phantom{........}\ce{R}\phantom{......}\ce{R}\phantom{.......}\ce{R}\phantom{......}\ce{R}
\end{array}\]