How does the boiling point affect polarity?

1 Answer
Jun 18, 2018

I think the question should ask #"how does polarity affect boiling point?"#

Explanation:

Molecular polarity gives rise to polar interactions between molecules in the condensed phase. And these interactions can constitute an intermolecular force that should ELEVATE the boiling point.

Now this might not be the best example I could draw (and I would welcome suggestions of more apposite molecules), but consider the normal boiling points of chloroform, #61.2# #""^@C# versus that of carbon tetrachloride, #76.2# #""^@C#. The heavier molecule should be and is MORE involatile...but nevertheless, because chloroform has a molecular dipole moment, its boiling is elevated with respect to non-polar carbon tet…