Why are the boiling points of higher ethers slightly lower than those of n-alkanes of comparable molecular mass ?

Explanation

To answer the question of why the boiling points of higher ethers are slightly lower than those of n-alkanes of comparable molecular mass, we can break down the explanation into several key steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Boiling Points**: Boiling point is influenced by the strength of intermolecular forces present in a substance. The stronger the intermolecular forces, the higher the boiling point.

2. **Comparison of Ethers and n-Alkanes**: Ethers (like dimethyl ether and diethyl ether) have boiling points that are only slightly higher than those of n-alkanes with comparable molecular masses. This indicates that the intermolecular forces in ethers are not significantly stronger than those in n-alkanes.

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