What does the boiling point of a compound indicate?

The boiling point of a compound is defined as the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the external pressure surrounding the liquid, allowing the compound to transition from the liquid phase to the vapor phase. This process occurs when the molecules within the liquid gain enough energy to overcome intermolecular forces and enter the gas phase.

Understanding this concept is crucial in organic chemistry, as the boiling point can provide valuable information about a compound’s identity, purity, and potential applications. For example, compounds with similar structures often exhibit similar boiling points, which can be used in techniques like distillation to separate and purify substances in the laboratory. The boiling point is not related to freezing, solidification, or solubility, making the other options less relevant to this fundamental phase transition characteristic of liquids.