
the answer
Reg Mitchell answered on November 23, 2006,
A:
If you found this answer useful, please considerMelting points depend on how well a substance fits into a crystal lattice, and so is much harder to predict than is boiling point which follows molecular weight (approx), shape (approx). In the case of alcohols Hydrogen-bonding is also very important in melting point. Remember that the hydrocarbon chains like to get close to each other, the -OH ends like to get close to each other, and the longer the chain, the more conformations there are, so in the end its a balancing act, propanol fits in a lattice with weaker overall molecular forces than the others and so it melts at the lower temperature.
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