Which of the following molecules is non-polar in nature?

  1. NO2
  2. POCl3
  3. CH2O
  4. SbCl5

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : SbCl5
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Detailed Solution

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Concept:

Polar and non-polar molecules - Polarity is the distribution of charge over the atoms of a molecule joined by a bond.

  • Based on polarity molecules are divided into two categories - polar and non-polar.
  • The molecules with differences in the electronegativities of their atom are having some net dipole moment and are called polar molecules.
  • Non-polar molecules have a net dipole moment of zero as the dipole moment of exactly opposite bonds in the molecule cancel each other.

Explanation:

  • Nonpolar molecules are those which has a net dipole moment of zero.
  • As dipole moment is a vector quantity, the overall dipole moment of a molecule is the sum of dipoles of all the bonds present in the molecule.
  • Thus the exactly equal and opposite bonds constitute a net dipole zero.

The calculation for net dipole moment in given molecules - 

SbCl5F3 Savita Others 16-8-22 D49

SbCl5 has trigonal bipyramidal geometry having axial and equatorial bonds. It has a net dipole moment of zero as - 

  • Axial bonds have a bond angle of 180° which constitutes two exactly equal and opposite bonds. Hence dipole moment is zero.
  • Equatorial bonds also have net dipole zero as the dipole moment of one equatorial Sb-Cl bond is the resultant of the vector sum of the other two equatorial Sb-Cl bonds.

So, the net vector summation of bond moments will be zero so SbCl5 is a non-polar molecule.

In the other given molecules, the net dipole moment is not zero because -

  • In NO2, there is non-symmetry in the structure.
  • In POCl3, there is a difference in electronegativity of Cl and O atoms.
  • In CH2O, O atom is more highly electronegative than the H atom.

 

  • F3 Savita Others 16-8-22 D50
  • F3 Savita Others 16-8-22 D51
  • F3 Savita Others 16-8-22 D52

Thus, the only nonpolar molecule is SbCl5.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4.

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