The correct order of boiling points of alcohols having the same number of carbon atoms is determined by the strength of intermolecular forces between the alcohol molecules. The boiling points of alcohols increase as the number of carbon atoms increases/Alcohols/Properties_of_Alcohols/Background). Therefore, the correct order of boiling points of alcohols having the same number of carbon atoms would be:
- 1° alcohol: highest boiling point
- 2° alcohol: intermediate boiling point
- 3° alcohol: lowest boiling point
This order is due to the strength of hydrogen bonding between the alcohol molecules. Primary alcohols have two hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon atom that is attached to the hydroxyl group (-OH), which allows for stronger hydrogen bonding between the molecules. Tertiary alcohols, on the other hand, have no hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon atom that is attached to the hydroxyl group, which results in weaker hydrogen bonding between the molecules.
