Question

While separating a mixture of ortho and para nitrophenols by stream distillation, name the isomer which will be steam volatile. Give reason.

Answer 1

Ortho-Nitrophenol is steam volatile because in it there is intramolecular hydrogen bonding.

Due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding, the intermolecular forces in ortho-nitrophenol are weaker than that in para-nitrophenol (which has intermolecular hydrogen bonding) and hence it undergoes less association.