Final answer:
Desflurane is the volatile anesthetic with the lowest boiling point, preferred for its physical properties which make it less volatile and flammable than older anesthetics. Its low boiling point facilitates its use in medical anesthesia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The volatile anesthetic with the lowest boiling point is desflurane. Among desflurane, sevoflurane, isoflurane, and halothane, desflurane stands out for its lower boiling point, which means it vaporizes more readily at room temperature and thus is more easily inhaled as an anesthetic gas in medical settings. Volatile anesthetics are used to induce and maintain general anesthesia, and their physical properties, like boiling points, are essential for their effectiveness and delivery methods.
Historically, compounds like diethyl ether were used, but due to their flammable nature and side effects, such as nausea, they have been replaced by modern inhalants like desflurane, sevoflurane, and isoflurane. These halogen-containing compounds are preferred because they are less volatile, less flammable, and have fewer undesired side effects. It is important for operating room safety to consider the characteristics of these anesthetics, as some might have health ramifications for those exposed over time, as was the case with halothane and its link to miscarriages among operating room personnel.