What is a key physical property of alcohols?

Alcohols are characterized by having high boiling points relative to their molecular weights. This distinctive property arises primarily from the presence of hydroxyl (-OH) groups, which allow for strong hydrogen bonding between alcohol molecules. Hydrogen bonds are significant intermolecular forces that require more energy to break compared to Van der Waals forces present in non-polar molecules. Thus, as the number of hydroxyl groups increases or as the carbon chain lengthens, the boiling point of the alcohol tends to rise due to the increased ability to form these hydrogen bonds.

This property is crucial in various applications, including the use of alcohols as solvents and in the production of beverages, as their boiling points affect the methods of purification and distillation. The higher boiling points also influence the physical state of alcohols at room temperature and their volatility in different conditions.