Question 1
Multiple choiceMedium1 markTwo successive members of a homologous series are CH₃CH₂CH₂OH and CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OH. What is the IUPAC name of the second compound, and how does its boiling point compare with that of the first?
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Answer: D. The second compound has a four-carbon chain, and numbering from the end nearest the hydroxyl group gives butan-1-ol. It has one more CH₂ group than the first compound; the longer chain has stronger intermolecular forces, so its boiling point is higher. A: names the compound correctly but reverses the boiling-point trend. B: places the hydroxyl group on carbon 2, although it is at the end of the displayed chain. C: assumes the boiling point stays the same because the compounds have the same functional group, overlooking the increase in chain length. Remember: boiling points generally increase with chain length within a homologous series.