Question

Which of the following reasons best explains why it is possible to separate a 1:1 mixture of 1-chlorobutane and 1-butanol by fractional distillation?

A.
Both 1-chlorobutane and 1-butanol are polar.
B.
Both 1-chlorobutane and 1-butanol are nonpolar.
C.
The boiling point of 1-chlorobutane is substantially higher than that of 1-butanol.
D.
The boiling point of 1-chlorobutane is substantially lower than that of 1-butanol.

Answer 1

The boiling point of 1-chlorobutane is substantially lower than that of 1-butanol

Step-by-step explanation:

Fractional distillation is a separation process based on difference in boiling point of two compounds.

1-chlorobutane is a polar aprotic molecule due to presence of polar C-Cl bond. Hence dipole-dipole intermolecular force exists in 1-chlorobutane as a major force.

1-butanol is a polar protic molecule. Hence dipole-dipole force along with hydrogen bonding exist in 1-butanol.

Therefore intermolecular force is stronger in 1-butanol as compared to 1-chlorobutane.

So, boiling point of 1-butanol is much higher than 1-chlorobutane.

Hence mixture of 1-chlorobutane and 1-butanol can be separated by fractional distillation based on difference in boiling point.

So, option (D) is correct.