Why is n-C_10 H_22 boiling point higher than Br_2 boiling point?

Br_2 has bigger relative mass than n-C_10 H_22 , and both are linear molecules. However, it has lower boiling point than n-C_10 H_22 .

What is the cause of such situation?

1 Answer
Nov 16, 2017

Decane has a very slight dipole, whereas bromine has no dipole. Carbon and hydrogen have approximately a 0.35 difference in electronegativity.

This is a demonstration of how negligible dispersion forces are when there are also dipole-dipole interactions.

There may be other reasons, which I'm open to hearing!