Polarity of Molecules

Electronegativity (EN) - Measure of the relative tendency of an atom to attract electrons to itself when chemically combined with another
atom. The higher the value of electronegativity, the more it tends to attract electrons toward itself.

Covalent and Non-Polar Covalent Bonds

Polar covalent bonds occur when electron pairs are unequally shared. The difference in electronegativity between atoms is significant.
Examples of compounds having polar covalent bonds are:
HCl EN of H = 2.1 EN of Cl = 3.0 ΔEN = 0.9
HF EN of H = 2.1 EN of F = 4.0 ΔEN = 1.9
The separation of charges makes the bond polar. It creates an electric dipole. Dipole refers to “two poles,” meaning there is a
positive and a negative pole within a molecule. Elements with the higher EN value become the partial negative pole while elements
with the lower EN value become the partial positive pole. This makes the molecule a polar molecule.
Non-polar covalent bonds occur when electron pairs are shared equally or the difference in electronegativity between atoms is less
than 0.5. Examples of substances having non-polar covalent bonds are:
H2 EN of H = 2.1 ΔEN = 0.0 NON-POLAR MOLECULE; not a dipole
Cl2 EN of Cl = 3.0 ΔEN = 0.0 NON-POLAR MOLECULE; not a dipole
F2 EN of F = 4.0 ΔEN = 0.0 NON-POLAR MOLECULE; not a dipole
HI EN of H = 2.1 EN of I = 2.5 ΔEN = 0.4 POLAR MOLECULE; a dipole
Seatwork
CH4

CF4

O2

HBr

Molecular Geometry
The valence shell electron pair repulsion theory or VSEPR theory helps predict the spatial arrangement of atoms in a polyatomic
molecule. The shapes are designed to minimize the repulsion within a molecule.

Guidelines to determine the VSEPR shape of a molecule:

1. Determine the central atom of a molecule. The central atom is the least electronegative element.
2. Count how many valence electrons the central atom has.
3. Count how many valence electrons the side atoms have.
4. Create the appropriate Lewis structure of the molecule.
5. Using the Lewis structure as a guide, determine the appropriate VSEPR shape for the molecule.
6. Note how many electrons are shared and unshared. This will help determine the appropriate VSEPR shape.
Polar molecule:
H2O Bent - polar due to two lone pairs
NH3 Trigonal pyramidal - polar due to one lone pair
NO Linear - polar due to unequal sharing of electrons

Note that dots refer to unshared electrons in the Lewis structure

above and a dash refers to bonding between two electrons.

Non-polar molecule:
CO2 Linear
CH4 Tetrahedral
CCl4 Tetrahedral

Practical manifestations of polarity is solubility and miscibility.

Solubility refers to the ability of a solute to dissolve in a certain amount of solvent.
Miscibility is the ability of two liquids to mix in all proportions.

General rule “like dissolves like” or “like mixes with like.” This refers to substances being able to mix due to their same polarity.