Question: Rank the following compounds in order of increasing boiling point.

The boiling point of a compound is the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the compound equals the atmospheric pressure.

The boiling point of a compound depends on the intermolecular forces acting on it.

Compounds that involve hydrogen bonding (electrostatic force of attraction between hydrogen and a more electronegative atom) have a higher boiling point.

The given compounds are ketone, carboxylic acid, and alcohol.

Among the given compounds, both alcohol and carboxylic acid can participate in hydrogen bonding, and hence, have a higher boiling point than ketone.

Carboxylic acids have a higher boiling point than alcohols as they show more extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding.

Boiling points of the given compounds