question_answer 76)

  Out of o-nitrophenol andp-nitrophenol, which is more volatile ? Explain.

Answer:

                  o-Nitrophenol exists as discrete molecules due to intra molecular H-bonding (i.e., chelation) and hence is more volatile than p-nitrophenol which exists as an associated molecule due to intermolecular H-bonding. For structures of chelated and associated molecules, refer to page 11/39.