MOLECULAR

POLARITY
 DETERMINE THE
POLARITY OF
MOLECULES:
1. The polarity of the
bonds between atoms
based on
ELECTRONEGATIVITY
ELECTRONEGATIVITY
Measure of the relative
tendency of an atom to
attract electrons to itself
when chemically
combined with another
atom
Fluorine is the Base of Comparison
 Classification of Bonds
You can determine the type of bond
between two atoms by calculating the
difference in electronegativity values
between the elements
The bigger the electronegativity
difference the more polar the bond.
Type of Bond Electronegativity Difference

Nonpolar Covalent 0  0.4

Polar Covalent 0.5  1.6
Ionic 1.7 above
Which atom attracts e- more?
electronegativities 2.1 3.0
H ― Cl
δ+ δ-

H 2.5 3.5
2.1 ―

2.1 H ― C =O

O =C=O
POLAR MOLECULES = uneven distribution of charge.
1 side of molecule is negative ; one side is slightly positive. *
Creating poles.

NON-POLAR MOLECULES = no difference in charge on

outside of molecule.
Electrons are evenly distributed. Uniform charge on outside of
molecule.
 Practice
What type of bond is HCl? (H = 2.1, Cl = 3.1)
Difference = 3.1 – 2.1 = 1.0
Therefore it is polar covalent bond.
Your Turn To Practice
N(3.0) and  Al(1.5) and
H(2.1) Cl(3.0)
H(2.1) and Mg(1.2) and
H(2.1) O(3.5)
 Ca(1.0) and  H(2.1) and
Cl(3.0) F(4.0)
 How to show a bond is polar
Isn’t a whole charge just a partial charge
d+ means a partially positive (less
electronegative)
d- means a partially negative (more
electronegative)
d d
 + H Cl -
The Cl pulls harder on the electrons
The electrons spend more time near the Cl
 Polar Molecules

Molecules with a positive and a

negative end
Requires two things to be true
 The molecule must contain polar
bonds
This can be determined from
differences in electronegativity.
Asymmetric molecule.
2. The Geometrical shape
of then molecule which can
be predicted via VSEPR
theory.
 Symmetrical Molecules

Because of symmetry, molecules that have

polar bonds are overall a nonpolar
molecules (+ and – charges cancel out or
balance out)
 Examples:

 CO2 BF3

 CCl4
 Asymmetrical Molecules

If a molecule has polar bonds (and there is

no symmetry to cancel out + and –
charges), the molecule is polar.
 Examples:

 H2O HCl

 NH3
 Dipole
When there is unequal sharing of electrons a
dipole exists
Dipole is a molecule that has two poles
or regions with opposite charges

A dipole is represented by
a dipole arrow pointing
towards the more negative
end
 EXAMPLES:
𝐻2O
BENT (Non-symmetrical)

Polar
𝑆𝐹 2
Bent/ (Non-
symmetrical)
Polar
 Linear/
Symmetrical/
Non-polar
 Cl
Trigonal planar/ Symmetrical

Polar
 Are there POLAR
Bonds in Non-polar
NO
The molecules

YES

YES
Are they
arranged in
such a way
that they
affect cancel?
NO

Pol
ar
𝐶𝐻 4
 POLARITY

Attraction between
atoms or ions in a
molecule
“Chemical Bonds”
 Polar and Nonpolar Bonds
There are two types of covalent bonds
 Nonpolar Covalent Bonds (equal share of
electrons)
 Polar Covalent Bonds (unequal share of
electrons)
 Polar Covalent Bond

• A Polar Covalent Bond is unequal sharing of

electrons between two atoms (H-Cl)
• In a polar covalent bond, one atom
typically has a negative charge, and the
other atom has a positive charge
 Nonpolar Covalent Bond
 A Nonpolar Covalent Bond is an equal
sharing of electrons between two atoms (Cl-
Cl, N-N, O-O)
 IONS

Charged particles which

result when atoms LOSE
or GAIN electrons
 (-);Anion// (+); Cation
To form chemical
bond, elements either
share or transfer their
“Valence electrons” to
produce a more stable
configuration.
 VALENCE ELECTRONS
Electrons found in the
outermost shell of an
atom
Found farthest from the
nucleus
 CHEMICAL BONDS TYPES
1. POLAR COVALENT
BONDS
Electron pairs are equally
shared
Difference in EN between
atoms is SIGNIFICANT
EXAMPLE:

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
Separation of charges makes
the bond polar. It creates an
“ELECTRIC DIPOLE”
Higher EN- Partial negative
pole
Lower EN- Partial positive pole
B. NON-POLAR
COVALENT BONDS
Electron pairs are equally
shared or the difference
between atoms is less than
0.5
 Polar and Nonpolar Bonds

There are two types of covalent bonds

 Nonpolar Covalent Bonds (equal share of electrons)
 Polar Covalent Bonds (unequal share of electrons)
 Polar Covalent Bond
• A Polar Covalent Bond is unequal
sharing of electrons between two atoms
(H-Cl)
• In a polar covalent bond, one atom
typically has a negative charge, and the
other atom has a positive charge
 Nonpolar Covalent Bond
 A Nonpolar Covalent Bond is an equal
sharing of electrons between two atoms (Cl-
Cl, N-N, O-O)
 Predict the polarity of CH4 (methane)

Step 1: Determine polarity of bonds

Bonds are evenly spaced out.

Step 2: Determine polarity of molecule

If bonds making up a molecule are non-polar, then the

molecule is non-polar.
Therefore, CH4 is a non-polar molecule.
 Carbon dioxide.

Step 1: Determine polarity of bonds O = e- pulled

toward
Which atom attracts electrons more?

Step 2: Determine polarity of Molecule

(shape is linear)
If bonds making up a molecule are polar, then the molecule may be polar or non-polar,
depending on its shape.
 The center of the positive charges in located on
the carbon atom
The center of the negative charge is also
located on the carbon atom.

Since center of both the positive and negative charge are located
in the same spot in the molecule, there is no difference in overall
charge) so the molecule is non-polar.
 Look at sulfur dioxide.

Step 1: Determine polarity of bonds

Which atom attracts more e-(s)?

Center of positive charge is on the sulfur atom.

While the center of negative charge is located ½ way

between the two oxygen atoms.
Since polarity of the bonds and shape of the molecule result in an
uneven distribution of charge – SO2 is a polar molecule.
 Now that you have seen how to apply the two steps to
determine the polarity of molecules, see if you can predict the
polarity of the following:

H2 O PH3
CCl4
Ammonia (NH3)
SO3
CH3Cl
THE END…