Polarity and Intermolecular Forces

Review
We know how to draw Lewis structures for simple
molecules and polyatomic ions.
We also know how to predict the 3-D geometry of these
molecules and ions, if we apply the VSEPR Theory.
Electronegativity (EN) is an atom's tendency to attract
electrons in chemical bonds.
EN increases to the right and up on the periodic table,
excluding the noble gases.
Bond Polarity
When two nonmetal atoms bond, they share electrons.
They may or may not share electrons evenly.
Consider the following molecules:
F2
HF
Bond Polarity
H vs. F H F
EN = 2.2 EN = 4.0
The EN of H is 2.2.
The EN of F is 4.0.
In F2, both atoms pull with equal strength on the bonding
e-.
The e- are shared evenly between them.
In HF, the F atom pulls harder than the H atom.
The e- are drawn more toward the F atom.

F F F H
Bond Polarity
F F
EN is same for both
atoms.
e- density is spread evenly
around molecule.
Highest e- density occurs
between atoms.
Bond is nonpolar.
F H
EN is much higher for F
than for H.
e- density is drawn toward
F side.
F atom acquires partial
negative charge.
H atom acquires partial
positive charge.
Bond is polar.
Bond Polarity
In general, a covalent bond is:
polar if it occurs between two different atoms.
nonpolar if it occurs between two identical atoms.
Dipole Moments
Dipole Moment - a measure of the polarity of a bond.
Is often represented by a special arrow.

Arrow points toward

more EN atom.
H F
Polarity of Diatomic Molecules
Diatomic Molecules - molecules made of only two
atoms.
If atoms are the same, molecule is nonpolar.
If atoms are diff., molecule is polar.
NOTE: Polar does not mean charged.
Is Cl2 polar or nonpolar?
Is CO polar or nonpolar?
Molecules With 3 or More Atoms
A molecule with 3 or more atoms is:
Polar if its central atom has lone pairs OR
 If the outer atoms are not all the same.
Nonpolar if its central atom has no lone pairs AND
 All the outer atoms are identical.
CO2 vs. H2O
Consider the Lewis structure of CO2:

This molecule is nonpolar.

CO2 vs. H2O
Consider the Lewis structure of H 2O:

This molecule is polar.

CH4 vs. CH3Cl
Neither CH4 nor CH3Cl has any lone pairs on the
central carbon atom.
Is CH4 polar or nonpolar?
Is CH3Cl polar or nonpolar?

H H
HCH H C Cl
H H
“Like Dissolves Like”
Polar molecules mix with each other.
Nonpolar molecules mix with each other.
Polar and nonpolar molecules do not easily mix.
Amphipathic Molecules
Amphipathic - has a hydrophobic region and a
hydrophilic region.
Hydrophobic - “water-fearing”
 Nonpolar.
Hydrophilic - “water-loving”
 Polar or charged.

Dish detergents contain amphipathic molecules.

Why?
Grease and Water Don't Mix!
Amphipathic Molecules

Hydrophilic head

Hydrophobic tails
Amphipathic Molecules
Intermolecular Forces
Intermolecular force - a force between two molecules
that does not result from chemical bonding.
Dipole-dipole interaction.
Hydrogen bonding.
London force.
Dipole-Dipole Interactions
Dipole - polar molecule.
Like magnets, except poles are + and  - instead of N and S.
Polar molecules generally have higher melting and
boiling points than similar nonpolar molecules.
EXAMPLE: O2 (nonpolar) boils at -183ºC.
EXAMPLE: NO (polar) boils at -152ºC.
NO has a higher boiling point due to its polarity.
 Still far below the boiling point of any ionic cmpd.
Dipole-Dipole Interactions
Hydrogen Bonding
Hydrogen bond - a stronger form of dipole-dipole
interaction.
Occurs in molecules that have H atoms bonded to O, N, or F
atoms.
The small size of the H atom allows these molecules to
get closer together.
Closer together = stronger forces.
EXAMPLE: H2O has a boiling point of 100ºC.
EXAMPLE: H2S has a boiling point of -60ºC.
The b.p. of H2O is higher b/c of hydrogen bonding.
Hydrogen Bonding
B o ilin g P o in ts o f S e v e r a l C o m p o u n d s

150
100
B o ilin g P o in t (º C )

50
0
-5 0
-1 0 0
-1 5 0
-2 0 0
-2 5 0
H2O H2S H2Se H2Te
Com pound
London Force (Dispersion)
London force - attraction between temporary dipoles.
e- move randomly around molecules.
Nonpolar molecules become temporarily polar.
Allows for very weak attractions between nonpolar
molecules.
Named for Fritz London.
London Forces




London Forces
The more e- a molecule has, the greater its London forces
are.
Large molecules tend to have higher melting/boiling
points than small molecules.
London forces apply to all molecules.
London Forces
B o ilin g P o in ts o f th e N o b le G a s e s

250
B o ilin g P o in t (K e lv in s )

200

150

100

50

0
He Ne Ar Kr Xe Rn
N o b le G a s