Factors that determine MP/BP in order of precedence?

[manohman]

So for BP and MP determination, we know that

1) Mass of the Molecule
2) Hydrogen Bonds
3) Other Intermolecular Bonds (Polarity > Van Der Waals)
4) Branching (decreases MP/BP since molecules cant pack together as well)


Is this the correct order of precedence when considering MP/BP trends? Sometimes Hydrogen Bonding beats out Mass, just wondering if there is a set rule for this.

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[justadream]

@manohman

I think there won't be a clear answer to the question.

I guess you could compare two molecules while holding the other variables constant (but that may not always be possible). For example, let's say you want to compare hydrogen bonding between two things. That means you need to find two molecules that have generally the same H-bonding, branching, intermolcular forces, etc.

If you remove the "holding everything else constant" constraint, again it's blurry. Something that H-bonds might have a lower BP/MP if it's mass is like 1000X smaller.

I doubt the MCAT will make you consider super difficult cases.