Here's why:
* Strong intermolecular forces: Naphthalene molecules are planar and can stack on top of each other. This allows for strong London Dispersion Forces (LDFs) between the molecules. These forces are stronger than those found in many other organic compounds.
* Molecular size: Naphthalene is a relatively large molecule with a significant surface area. This contributes to stronger LDFs.
The melting point of naphthalene is 80.2 °C (176.4 °F). This is significantly higher than many simple hydrocarbons like methane (MP: -182.5 °C) or ethane (MP: -183 °C).
