Why do branched carbon isomers have higher heats of combustion than their linear

Question

Why do branched carbon isomers have higher heats of combustion than their linear counterpart isomers? I know linear molecules have higher densities and boiling points because of intermolecular forces. But heats of combustion deal with stability. How are branched carbon molecules more stable? Why do branched carbon isomers have higher heats of combustion than their linear counterpart isomers? I know linear molecules have higher densities and boiling points because of intermolecular forces. But heats of combustion deal with stability. How are branched carbon molecules more stable? Why do branched carbon isomers have higher heats of combustion than their linear counterpart isomers? I know linear molecules have higher densities and boiling points because of intermolecular forces. But heats of combustion deal with stability. How are branched carbon molecules more stable?

Explanation / Answer

Isomeric alkane +O2------>CO2 + H2O

The products of combustion for Isomeric alkanes are same. Stable isomeric alkane will have less energy and unstable has more energy. So H combustion of stable will be less because more energy is used in breaking the stable bonds so net output of energy will be less. Unstable has weaker bonds and it is easy to break the bonds, less energy is required to break the bonds and hence more energy will come out as combustion energy.

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