Is 2-methyl-2-choloropropane polar or nonpolar?
To determine whether 2-methyl-2-chloropropane is polar or nonpolar, we need to consider its molecular geometry and the polarity of its chemical bonds.
First, let's draw the Lewis structure for 2-methyl-2-chloropropane (also known as tert-butyl chloride).
CH3 - C(CH3)3 - Cl
The central carbon atom is bonded to three methyl groups (CH3), one chlorine atom (Cl), and one carbon atom (C) that is attached to the three methyl groups.
Next, we need to examine the geometry of the molecule. The central carbon atom is surrounded by four regions of electron density due to the four groups attached to it. These regions are formed by the three methyl groups and one chlorine atom. The molecular geometry of 2-methyl-2-chloropropane is tetrahedral.
Now, let's analyze the bond polarities.
The carbon-chlorine bond is more polar due to the difference in electronegativity between carbon and chlorine. Chlorine is more electronegative and will pull the electron density towards itself, creating a partially negative charge on the chlorine atom and a partially positive charge on the carbon atom.
However, since the molecule has a symmetrical tetrahedral geometry, the bond polarities cancel each other out. The three methyl groups surrounding the central carbon atom have the same bond polarities and are symmetrically arranged, resulting in a nonpolar molecule overall.
Therefore, 2-methyl-2-chloropropane (tert-butyl chloride) is a nonpolar molecule.