MHT CET202618 April 2026Evening ShiftChemistryAlcohols Phenols and EthersActual
Which of the following isomers of C ₄ H ₉ OH has lowest boiling point ?
Options
- An - Butyl alcohol
- BIsobutyl alcohol
- Csec-Butyl alcohol
- Dtert Butyl alcohol
Correct answer
D. tert Butyl alcohol
Step-by-step solution
The boiling point of isomeric alcohols decreases with an increase in branching. As branching increases, the molecule becomes more spherical in shape, which decreases the effective surface area. A smaller surface area results in weaker van der Waals forces of attraction between the molecules, thereby lowering the boiling point. Among the given isomers of C ₄ H ₉ OH , tert-butyl alcohol is the most branched. Therefore, tert-butyl alcohol has the lowest boiling point. Answer: tert Butyl alcohol