CH2Cl2
Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2017 3:16 pm
by Tim Foster 2A
Why is this molecule polar? What's stopping the chlorines from being on opposite sides of the carbon, and their dipoles canceling? Why are they adjacent to each other instead?
Re: CH2Cl2
Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2017 4:42 pm
by Mike Vinci 2B
Given that we have 4 regions of electron density around the C atom, and also no loner pairs on the C atom, the shape of the molecule is tetrahedral. Therefore, it appears symmetrical in structure, and many times symmetry means non-polar. However, relating to your question, the difference in electronegatvity between the C and Cl, and C and H bonds makes the molecule polar. While an equal polarity is distributed by the the C and Cl, the opposite half of the molecule has a less/different polarity. As a result of the differing polarities on opposite sides of the molecule, they do not fully cancel each other out making the molecule polar.