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Grade 12Organic Chemistry

Comparison of boiling points and melting points of o-dichloro benzene and p-dichloro benzene.

Profile image of Harshit Shah
10 Years agoGrade 12
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2 Answers

Profile image of medini
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer10 Years ago

Generally, the melting point of para isomer is quite higher than that of ortho  isomers. This is due to the fact that it has a symmetrical structure and therefore, its molecules can easily pack closely in the crystal lattice. As a result, intermolecular forces of attraction are stronger and therefore, greater energy is required to break its lattice and its melts at higher temperature. This question is most likely to be answered easily.

If you consider solubility. These are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. Generally, para isomers are highly soluble in organic solvents than ortho. This is interesting question.

Every compound (more specifically solids) does not dissolve in a given compound. In general, a liquid dissolves in a liquid if the intermolecular interactions are similar. This is in accordance with the rule "like dissolves like", ionic or polar compounds dissolve more readily in polar solvents. Non-polar compounds (covalent or organic) are soluble in non-polar solvents.

If you consider p-dichlorobenzene, it has zero dipole moment and thus is more non-polar than o-dichlorobenzene which has dipole moment of about 2.54 D. So, non-polar p-dichlorobenzene dissolves more readily than o-dichlorobenzene in non-polar (organic) solvents. 

hence we can say that the boiling and melting points of p-dichlorobenzene is higher than those of o-dichlorobenzene

Profile image of Harshit Shah
10 Years ago
As you say that boiling point of p-dichloro benzene should be higher than that of o-dichloro benzene but according to most of literatures it says opposite. What I want to know is the reason of this.