2.2.4

Polarity

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Polar Bonds

Some bonds within molecules may be described as polar. This is caused by differences in electronegativities.

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Electronegativity

  • In a bond between two unlike atoms, one atom will have a stronger attraction to the electron pair than the other.
    • This means the electron pair will not be at the centre of the bond.
  • This causes the buildup of a partial charge on one atom.
    • This is written as δ±
  • The ability of an atom to attract the electron pair is called electronegativity.
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Pauling electronegativities

  • The values of electronegativity can be measured on several different scales.
    • The one you need to know about is the Pauling scale (named after Linus Pauling, its inventor).
  • The most electronegative element is fluorine, with a value of 4.0.
    • Other strongly electronegative elements are oxygen (3.4), chlorine (3.2), nitrogen (3.0)
    • Carbon has an electronegativity of 2.5 and hydrogen has an electronegativity of 2.2.
Illustrative background for PolarityIllustrative background for Polarity ?? "content

Polarity

  • The most electronegative atom in a bond will develop a partial negative charge (δ-) and vice versa.
    • This charge difference is called a permanent dipole.
  • A good example of a polar bond is the HCl molecule.
  • A good example of a non-polar bond is the C-H bond.
    • The electronegativities of hydrogen and carbon are very similar, so the bond is not polar.

Polar Molecules

Molecules can have an overall dipole just like bonds.

Illustrative background for Molecular polarityIllustrative background for Molecular polarity ?? "content

Molecular polarity

  • Molecules can also be polar.
  • A requirement for a molecule to be polar is that it has polar bonds.
  • If there is a charge separation between one side of the molecule and the other, there will be a permanent dipole.
    • A good example of a molecule like this is chloroform, CHCl3.
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Finer details

  • A molecule with polar bonds is not necessarily polar.
    • If the bonds are arranged symmetrically about the centre, then the partial charges will be the same on each side of the molecule.
    • Such a molecule is not polar.
    • A good example of a molecule like this is tetrachloromethane (CCl4).

Jump to other topics

1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2Periodic Trends

3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4Halogens

3.5Noble gases, group 18

3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7Functional Group Chemistry

3.8Alkanes

3.9Alcohols

3.10Halogenoalkanes

4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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