question_answer 20)

While separating a mixture ofortho and para nitrophenols bysteam distillation, name the isomer which will be steam volatile. Give reason. Isomer, which is stema volatiles less strongly bonded. The other one is strongly bonded by H-bonding.  

Answer:

Ortho-nitrophenol is steam volatile. The reason is chelation due to intramolecular H-bonding. So it can be separated by steam due to presence of intermolecular H-bonding.