MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution

Step-by-step solution

Boiling point depends on the strength of intermolecular forces. Carboxylic acids form strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds and exist as dimers, leading to the highest boiling points among compounds of comparable molecular mass. Alcohols also form intermolecular hydrogen bonds, but they are weaker than those in carboxylic acids. Ketones and aldehydes lack intermolecular hydrogen bonding but possess dipole-dipole interactions. Ketones have slightly higher boiling points than isomeric aldehydes due to the presence of two electron-donating alkyl groups, which makes the carbonyl group more polar, resulting in stronger dipole-dipole interactions. Thus, the correct decreasing order of boiling points is Carboxylic acid > Alcohol > Ketone > Aldehyde. Answer: Carboxylic acid > Alcohol > Ketone > Aldehyde