Alcohols and phenols have elevated boiling points bececause, like, like water, they form hydrogen bonds in the liquid state. A positively polarized -OH hydrogen atome from one molecule is attracted to a lone pair of electrons on a negtively polarized oxygen atom o another molecule, resulting in a weak force that holds the molecules together (Figure 17.2). These intermolecular attractions must be overcome for a molecule to break free from the liquid and enter the vapor state, so the boiling temperature is raised.