Polarity
Andy Schweitzer
What does it mean to be polar?
A molecule is polar if it contains + and –
somewhere in the molecule.
Remember: Protons can not move. So
for a molecule to get a +/- it must
somehow have its electrons dragged from
one atom to another!
How does polarity affect a
molecules properties?
Solute dissolving in a solvent?
– “Likes dissolve likes”
Non-polar solutes dissolve in non-polar solvents
Polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents.
– Biologically
Drugs are absorbed into the brain (past the blood brain
barrier) based upon their polarity.
Morphine and Heroine are very similar
Your body converts heroine to morphine after it enters the
brain.
Heroin is 90% more polar there for it absorbs a lot faster.
How does a molecule become
polar.
Must have at least Electrons are being dragged
from one atom to another
one polar bond.
What is a polar
bond?
– A covalent bond
where the electrons
are not being
shared equally.
Why are or why aren’t the
electrons being shared equally
Electronegativity: An atoms attraction for
electrons in a bond.
– Some atoms, when bonded suck the electrons
toward them.
Electronegativity Difference: When you
get two atoms bonded where one is highly
electronegative and the other is not there
will be unequal sharing.
Electronegativity difference?
Tug of war
Mr. Schweitzer Baby
Who wins this contest????
Electronegativity difference?
Tug of war
Mr. Schweitzer Superman
Who wins this contest????
Electronegativity difference?
Tug of war
Mr. Schweitzer Superman
STALEMATE
Electronegativity
Electronegativity
Electronegativity difference
Dipole moment: numerical
measurement of the difference of
charge.
Ionic dipole moment: (> 1.7)
NaCl = 3-.9 = 2.1
Polar covalent (.5 > x <1.7)
Pure covalent (<.5)
These values are estimates
Which of these are polar
covalent molecules
Dipole moments
H-F 1.9
H-Cl .9
NO2 .5
H2
0
Structure also affects polarity
Polar bonds (charges)
none present
Non-polar symmetrical
symmetrical asymmetrical
Non-polar polar
Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical
If a molecule is symmetrical then there
will not be any unequal disposition of
charges.
How do you know if a molecule is
symmetrical?
Structures
These are the general structures.
They all start out symmetrical.
Molecular geometry
2 bonded/0 non-bonded
Linear
Symmetrical
Hybridiztion = sp
Are these polar molecules?
What do we need to be polar?
No stealers so not polar Stealers = yes
Stealer + not symmetrical = Symmetrical
polar = yes
Polar = no
Molecular geometry
2 bonded/0 non-bonded
Trigonal planer
Symmetrical
Hybridization = sp2
Are these polar?
No stealer! Stealer = yes
Non-polar Symmetrical = no
Polar
Molecular geometry
Bent
2 bonded/1 non-
bonded
Asymmetrical
Bond angle <120
Hybridization = sp2
Are these polar?
Dipole moment = 0
Non-polar
Un-bonded pairs
take more space
then bonded
pushing angle to
slightly less then
120
Molecular geometry
tetrahedral
Symmetrical
4 bonded/0 non-bonded
Bond angle: 109.5°
Are these polar?
2 bonded/0 non-bonded 2 bonded/0 non-bonded
Linear Linear
Symmetrical Symmetrical
Molecular geometry
Trigonal pyramidal
3 bonded/ 1 non-bonded
Bond angle < 109.5
Asymmetrical
Stealer = Yes Stealer = Yes
Symmetrical = No Symmetrical = no
Polar Polar
Molecular geometry
Bent
2 bonded/ 2 non-bonded
Bond angle: < 109.5
Asymmetrical
Stealer = yes
Symmetrical = no
Polar
Molecular geometry
Trigonal bipyramidal
Bond angle
Equatorial: 120°
vertical: 90°
Symmetrical
Hybridization = sp3d
Polar molecule?
Molecular geometry
See-Saw
4 Bonded/1 Non-bonded
Bond angle
Equatorial: 120°
vertical: 90°
Asymmetrical
Molecular geometry
T-Shaped
3-bonded/2 non-bonded
Bond angle
Equatorial: 120°
Vertical: 90°
asymmetrical
Polar?
Molecular geometry
2-bonded/3 non-bonded
Linear
Bond angle: 180
Symmetrical
Hybridization = sp3d
Polar?
Molecular geometry
Octahedral or square bipyramidal
6 bonded/ 0 non-bonded
Bond angle
equatorial: 90°
vertical: 90°
Symmetrical
Hybridization = sp3d2
Polar?
Molecular geometry
Square pyramidal
5 bonded/1 non-
bonded
Bond angle
Equatorial: 90°
Vertical: 90°
Asymmetrical
Molecular geometry
Square Planar
4 bonded / 2 non-
bonded
Bond angle
Equatorial: 90°
vertical: 90°
Symmetrical
Polar?
