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NEET CHEMISTRYOrganic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques Medium

Question

Which molecule among the following is non-polar?

A

SbCl5SbCl_5

B

NO2NO_2

C

POCl3POCl_3

D

CH2OCH_2O

Step-by-Step Solution

A molecule's polarity is determined by the vector sum of its individual bond dipoles .

  1. SbCl5SbCl_5: The central antimony atom (SbSb) undergoes sp3dsp^3d hybridisation, resulting in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry . Because all five terminal atoms are identical (chlorine), the three equatorial bond dipoles cancel each other at 120120^\circ, and the two axial bond dipoles cancel each other at 180180^\circ . Consequently, the net dipole moment (μ\mu) is zero, making it non-polar.
  2. NO2NO_2: This is an odd-electron molecule with a bent geometry . The asymmetrical arrangement prevents bond dipoles from cancelling, resulting in a polar molecule .
  3. POCl3POCl_3: The central phosphorus atom is sp3sp^3 hybridised (tetrahedral-like). Since the P=OP=O bond dipole differs in magnitude and direction from the three PClP-Cl bond dipoles, they do not cancel out, making it polar.
  4. CH2OCH_2O (Formaldehyde): The carbonyl carbon is sp2sp^2 hybridised . The C=OC=O double bond is highly polar due to the higher electronegativity of oxygen relative to carbon . The geometry is trigonal planar, but the different dipoles of CHC-H and C=OC=O bonds do not cancel, resulting in a significant net dipole moment.

Exam Context & Concepts Covered

This question aligns with the NEET CHEMISTRY syllabus, specifically targeting concepts from Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques . Mastering this topic is crucial for scoring well in the upcoming medical entrance examinations. Solving conceptually related problems will help you understand the nuances of these concepts and improve your problem-solving speed.

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