Question

Arrange the set of compounds in order of increasing boiling points.

Bromomethane, Bromoform, Chloromethane, Dibromomethane.

Answer 1

The strength of the intermolecular interactions in organic molecules determines their boiling points. These forces consist of van der Waals forces and dipole-dipole interactions, and they are dependent on the molecular mass and surface area of the molecules. Compounds with higher molecular mass have higher boiling points. Thus, the correct order is:

Chloromethane < Bromomethane < Dibromomethane < Bromoform