Polarity of

Molecules and Its

Properties
Objective
1. Compare and contrast polar and non-polar
molecules
2. Identify the polarity of a molecule based on
its structure
3. Appreciate the importance of different
molecules in relation to its polarity by citing
examples
Polarity
• Refers to having a dipole
• Dictated by the distribution of
electrons in the molecule
• Is a physical aspect of a
molecule that affects and
influences the behavior of a
molecule
• Polarity of molecule can be
determined by 2 factors:
- electronegativity
- geometrical shape
 Polarity,
Solubility, and
Miscibility
Solubility  the ability of a solid substance to
be dissolved in a given amount of
solvent
miscibility  the ability of the two liquids to combine
or mix in all proportions, creating a
homogenous mixture.
Boiling point  Is the temperature at which a liquid
turns into gas
 The greater the polarity of the molecules
in the substance
GENERAL RULE

“like dissolves like”

or

“like mixes with like”.

Electronegativity (EN)

• Measures the relative tendency of an atom

to attract electrons itself when chemically
combined with other atoms
Chemical Bond
Electronegativity (EN)
• Measures the relative tendency of an atom
to attract electrons itself when chemically
combined with other atoms
Type of Bond and Electronegativity
Difference (∆EN)
Ionic ≥1.7

Polar Covalent 0.5 to 1.6

Nonpolar Covalent ≤ 0.4

Ca and Cl

Solution:
1. ENCa = 1.0
Type of Bond and
ENCl = 3.0 Electronegativity
Difference
(∆EN)
Ionic
(∆EN) = 1.0 – 3.0 = │-2.0│= 2.0 ≥1.7
Polar Covalent
0.5 to 1.6
Nonpolar Covalent
≤ 0.4
= ionic bond
Try this!
• Cl and Cl
• H and Cl
• S and O
• C and N

• Cl and Cl Nonpolar
• H and Cl polar
• S and O polar
• C and N polar
Try this! Check!
• Cl and Cl • Cl and Cl Nonpolar
• H and Cl • H and Cl polar
• S and O • S and O polar
• C and N • C and N polar
• Polar CB– formed when electrons
are shared unequally by two atom
compounds
• Nonpolar CB – formed if both
atoms equally share a pair of
electrons between them
Dipole moment

What is a Dipole moment?

+ 𝜕−
H Cl
POLARITY OF MOLECULES (VSEPR)
BCl3
1. Determine the central atom of a B- 2.0 Cl- 3.0
molecule. The central atom is the
least electronegative element.

2. Draw the appropriate Cl

Lewis dot structure for the molecule.

3. Count the number of bonding pairs of

electrons and non-bonding (or lone
pairs) around the central atom.
B
4. Determine the electron pair orientation Cl Cl
using the total number of electron pairs.

5. Name the shape of based on the locatio

n of the atoms
BCl3
Step 1: ENB = 2.0 ENCl = 3.0
Step 2:
Step 5: BCl3 is trigonal Planar

Step 3: 3 bond pair and no

lone pair
Step 4: Electron pair orientation
for 3 electron is Trigonal
planar
Molecular
Doodle Molecule/Compound Lewis Dot Shape Polarity
Structure
AlCl3
H2O
N2O
HF
PCl3
CO2
HCN
CH4
SO2
Bond Strength
and Physical
Properties of
Covalent
Compounds
INTRAMOLECULAR FORCES OF
ATTRACTION
• attractive force that O
binds atoms
together. H H

INTERMOLECULAR FORCES OF
ATTRACTION
• attractive force that
exists between NaCl H2O
molecules.
 Summary of
Types of
Intermolecular
Forces of
Attraction (IMFA)
 Type of IMFA Interacting Substances Examples
Ion-dipole Ion (cation or anion) and a NaCl dissolved in H2O;
polar molecule Ca2+ and PCl3
Hydrogen bonding Polar molecules containing H H2O, NH3, CH3OH
chemically bonded to a small and
highly electronegative nonmetal
atom such as N, O, and F

Dipole –dipole Polar molecules CH3F and H2S; HCl;

Dipole-induced dipole Polar and nonpolar HI and CH4
molecules
London forces All substances and solely O2, N2, He gas, Br2
for nonpolar molecules
and noble gases
 General
Properties of
polar and
nonpolar
molecules
 Polar molecules Nonpolar molecules
IMFA type: H-bonding IMFA type: London
and dipole-dipole dispersion
exist as solids or liquids at room exist as gases at room temperature
temperature
High boiling point Low boiling point
High melting point Low boiling point
High surface tension Low surface tension

Low vapor pressure High vapor pressure

Low volatility High volatility

Soluble in water Insoluble in water

Definition of terms
Boiling point

- temperature at which the vapor

pressure and atmospheric pressure of
a liquid substance are equal.
Definition of terms
Melting point

- temperature at which solid becomes

liquid. At this point, the solid and
liquid phases exist in equilibrium.
Definition of terms
Surface tension - energy needed to increase the
surface area by a unit amount
Definition of terms
Viscosity

- the resistance of the liquid to flow

Definition of terms
- pressure exerted by a
Vapor pressure
substance in its gaseous state.
Definition of terms
Volatility

- measures the rate at which a

substance vaporizes (changes from
liquid to gas)