The boiling point of ether is ..... the boiling point of alcohols of comparable molecular mass.

Options

A. lower than
B. similar to
C. little higher than
D. much higher than

Answer

To determine the relationship between the boiling points of ethers and alcohols of comparable molecular mass, we can analyze the molecular structures and the types of intermolecular forces present in each compound.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Structures**:
- Ethers have the general formula R-O-R', where R and R' are hydrocarbon chains or groups.
- Alcohols have the general formula R-OH, where R is a hydrocarbon chain.

2. **Understand Intermolecular Forces**:
- The boiling point of a substance is influenced by the strength of its intermolecular forces.
- Alcohols can form hydrogen bonds due to the presence of the hydroxyl (-OH) group. Hydrogen bonding is a strong type of dipole-dipole interaction that significantly raises the boiling point.
- Ethers, on the other hand, do not have hydrogen bonding capabilities. They primarily exhibit weaker van der Waals forces (London dispersion forces) and dipole-dipole interactions.

3. **Compare Boiling Points**:
- Since alcohols can engage in hydrogen bonding, they generally have higher boiling points compared to ethers of comparable molecular mass, which lack such strong intermolecular attractions.
- Therefore, the boiling point of ethers is lower than that of alcohols with similar molecular weights.

4. **Conclusion**:
- The boiling point of ether is **lower than** the boiling point of alcohols of comparable molecular mass.

### Final Answer:
The boiling point of ether is **lower than** the boiling point of alcohols of comparable molecular mass.