What does a higher boiling point typically indicate about a compound?

A higher boiling point typically indicates that a compound is less volatile. Volatility refers to the tendency of a substance to vaporize; therefore, a high boiling point suggests that more energy is required to transition the substance from the liquid phase to the gas phase. This is often due to stronger intermolecular forces present in the compound, such as hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, or London dispersion forces. As a result, substances with higher boiling points will evaporate more slowly, signifying lower volatility.

The other choices do not directly correlate with boiling point in the same manner. Solubility in water is influenced by various factors including molecular structure and polarity, but it does not have a straightforward relationship with boiling point. Similarly, density is a measurement of mass per unit volume, which can vary independently of boiling point. Reactivity is contingent on the chemical structure and the presence of functional groups, rather than boiling point alone. Thus, the connection between a higher boiling point and decreased volatility is the strongest among the provided options.