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11 grade chemistry others

o-nitrophenol can be easily steam distilled whereas p-nitrophenol cannot be. This is because of:

  • A) Strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding in o-nitrophenol.
  • B) Strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding in o-nitrophenol.
  • C) Strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding in p-nitrophenol.
  • D) dipole moment of p-nitrophenol is larger than that of o-nitrophenol.

Profile image of Aniket Singh
1 Year agoGrade
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1 Answer

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ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer1 Year ago

The ability to steam distill o-nitrophenol but not p-nitrophenol is primarily due to the presence of strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding in p-nitrophenol. This intramolecular bonding stabilizes the molecule, making it less volatile and difficult to separate through steam distillation. Therefore, the correct answer is:

C) Strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding in p-nitrophenol.

In contrast, o-nitrophenol does not have the same level of intramolecular hydrogen bonding, allowing it to be more easily vaporized during the distillation process.