Ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH), the major substance in antifreeze, has a normal boiling point of 198 C. By comparison, ethyl alcohol (CH3CH2OH) boils at 78C at atmospheric pressure. Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (CH3OCH2CH2OCH3) has a normal boiling point of 83 C and ethyl methyl ether (CH3CH2OCH3) has a normal boiling point of 11.
A) Explain why replacement of a hydrogen on the oxygen by CH3 generally results in a lower boiling point.
B) What are the major factors responsible for the difference in boiling points of the two ethers.