Moderate

Which of the following will have the highest boiling point ?

Correct answer: D. hexanone

  • A. methanol
  • B. ethanal
  • C. propanal
  • D. hexanone

Explanation

Hexanone has the largest carbon skeleton and molar mass among the choices, so its stronger dispersion forces give it the highest boiling point; it also has dipole-dipole attraction from the carbonyl group. The likely mistake is choosing methanol because it forms hydrogen bonds, but hexanone's much larger size outweighs methanol's hydrogen bonding here.

Last updated

About Reactivity of Aldehydes and Ketones

The polar carbonyl group makes aldehydes and ketones undergo nucleophilic addition, reduction and condensation reactions. Aldehydes are generally more reactive and oxidise readily to carboxylic acids, whereas ketones resist mild oxidation; reactions with hydrogen cyanide, sodium bisulfite and 2,4-DNP help identify their behaviour.

Practise Aldehydes and Ketones

679 free Aldehydes and Ketones MCQs from Chemistry, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Exams that ask Chemistry questions like this

Chemistry is on 12 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

Related questions