LAB: SHAPES OF COVALENT MOLECULES & POLARITY

Introduction:

The most common chemical bond between two atoms is a covalent

bond. The covalent bond consists of a pair of shared electrons, one from
each atom. If this pair of electrons is shared between two atoms of equal
electro negativities, the bond would be called a nonpolar covalent bond.
However, in most cases, the pair of electrons is shifted toward the more
electronegative element. A partial negative charge results on one side of the
bond and a partial positive charge on the other. This type of covalent bond
is called polar covalent.
Molecules composed of covalently bonded atoms may also be polar or
nonpolar. For the molecule to be polar, it must, of course, have polar bonds.
But the key factor for determining the polarity of a molecule is its shape. If
the polar bonds (dipoles) are symmetrical around the central atom, they
offset each other and the resulting molecule is nonpolar. However, if the
dipoles are not symmetrical around the central atom, the electrons will be
pulled to one end of this molecule and the resulting molecule is polar.

Objectives:

(1) Predict each molecule’s shape using your knowledge of hybridization.

(2) Predict each molecule’s polarity on the basis of its shape.

Equipment:

Paper and pencil

Procedure:

1. Prepare a data table according to the directions in the Analysis

section below.
2. Complete your data table using the following compounds:

1. H2 5. SO3 9. CH4 13. CH3Cl

2. HBr 6. CO2 10. HClO 14. HCOOH
3. H2O 7. H2CO 11. O2 15. CO32-
4. NH3 8. C2H2 12. AlH3 16. NH4+
Analysis:
Prepare a table for recording data for each of the 16 molecules.
Include the following in your table: the formula, the Lewis dot structure,
shared electron pairs, unshared electron pairs, total electron pairs, bonding
orbitals, molecular shape, structural formula, and polarity. Use the table
below as a guide:

Formul Lewis Share Unshare Total Molecula Structura Polarit

a Structur d d e-Pairs r Shape l Formula y
e e- e- Pairs
Pairs

HCl H – Cl : 1 0 1 Linear H – Cl Polar

Further Investigations:

1. On the basis of this experiment and your classwork, predict the

a. type of bonding b. molecular shape c. molecular polarity
for each of the following compounds (construct a table):
(1) HBr (3) BaCl2 (5) CI4
(2) SCl2 (4) NH3 (6) AlH3

2. Calculate the electronegativity difference and indicate the type of bond

for
the following attractions:
(a) Na - Br (c) Se – O (e) Mg – Cl
(b) C-H (d) Br – Br (f) Al - I

3. What does the term isomer mean?

 Key

Share
Unshare Total
Lewis d Molecula Structura
Formula d e- Polarity
Structure e- r Shape l Formula
e- Pairs Pairs
Pairs

HCl 1 0 or 3 1 or 4 Linear H – Cl Polar

HBr H Br 1 0 or 3 1 or 4 Linear H – Br Polar

H2O 2 2 4 Bent Polar

Trigonal
NH3 3 1 4 Pyramid Polar
al

Trigonal Non
SO3 3 0 3
Planar Polar

CO2 2 2 4 Linear Polar

Trigonal
H2CO 3 0 3 Polar
Planar

Non
C2H2 2 0 2 Linear
Polar

Tetra Non
CH4 4 0 4
hedral Polar

HClO 2 2 4 Bent Polar

Non
O2 2 2 4 Linear O–O
Polar
 AlH3 Crystal
Ionic Ionic Ionic Ionic
Ionic Lattice

Tetra
CH3Cl 4 0 4 Polar
hedral

HCOOH Trigonal
3 0 3 Polar
Omit Planar

O
Trigonal Non
CO32- 3 0 3
Planar C Polar
O O
Tetra Non
NH4+ 4 0 4
hedral Polar

Further Investigation
1. On the basis of this experiment and your classwork, predict the
a. type of bondingb. molecular shape c. molecular polarity
for each of the following compounds (construct a table):
(1) HBr (3) BaCl2 (5) CI4
(2) SCl2 (4) NH3 (6) AlH3
Compound Bond Molecular Polarity
Type Shape
HBr Covalent Linear Polar
SCl2 Covalent Bent Polar
BaCl2 Ionic Crystal Lattice Ionic
NH3 Covalent Trigonal Pyramidal Polar
CI4 Covalent Tetrahedral Non-Polar
AlH3 Ionic Crystal Lattice Ionic

2. Calculate the electronegativity difference and indicate the type of bond for
the following attractions:
(a) Na - Br (c) Se – O (e) Mg – Cl
 (b) C-H (d) Br – Br (f) Al - I
Elements Electronegativity Bond Type
Difference
Na - Br Ionic
C-H Covalent (Non-Polar)
Se – O Covalent (Polar)
Br – Br Covalent (Non-Polar)
Mg – Cl Ionic
Al - I Ionic

3. What does the term isomer mean?

Any of two or more compounds, radicals, or ions that contain the same
number of atoms of the same elements but differ in structural
arrangement and properties.

Example