Question

isoborneol melts at 208 °c. why is the melting point of camphor lower (think inter - molecular forces)?

Explanation:

Isoborneol has an -OH group which can form hydrogen bonds (strong intermolecular forces). Camphor lacks such a group. Instead, it has weaker van der Waals forces. Stronger intermolecular forces (like hydrogen bonds in isoborneol) require more energy (higher temperature) to break, resulting in a higher melting point. Weaker van der Waals forces in camphor need less energy to overcome, so camphor has a lower melting point.

Answer:

Camphor has weaker intermolecular forces (van - der - Waals) compared to isoborneol (which has hydrogen - bonding due to - OH group), so its melting point is lower.