Q.Why is it necessary to avoid even traces of moisture during the use of a Grignard reagent?
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Dipole Moment Trends
A dipole moment measures how unevenly the electron density is shared across a bond or molecule — it is the product of the magnitude of separated charge and the distance between the charge centres, and it has a direction (from the positive end to the negative end, by convention pointing toward the more electronegative atom).
What Decides a Bond's Dipole Moment
Two things, working together, not just one:
- Electronegativity difference — a bigger gap between the two bonded atoms means a more polarised bond, in principle a bigger dipole.
- Bond length — dipole moment is charge × distance, so even a modestly polarised bond can have a sizeable moment if the atoms are far apart, and a strongly polarised but very short bond can have a smaller moment than you'd expect.
These two factors often pull in OPPOSITE directions down a group, which is why dipole-moment trends are frequently non-monotonic even when electronegativity itself decreases smoothly.
The Carbon–Halogen Trend
Going down Group 17 (F → Cl → Br → I), electronegativity decreases steadily, which would suggest the C–X dipole moment should decrease steadily too. But bond length increases at the same time (the halogen atom gets bigger), which pushes the dipole moment back up. The two effects partially cancel, so the C–X dipole moment does NOT fall in a simple, uniform way down the group — it is often close to level from C–Cl to C–I, or even shows a local maximum, rather than tracking electronegativity alone. Always check real values rather than assuming "more electronegative always means bigger dipole."
Molecular Dipole Moment: Vector Addition, Not Just Bond Polarity
A molecule's OVERALL dipole moment is the vector sum of all its individual bond dipoles — geometry matters as much as bond polarity.
- CCl4 (tetrahedral, symmetric): four polar C–Cl bonds, but their vectors cancel exactly by symmetry, so the molecule has ZERO net dipole moment despite having polar bonds.
- CHCl3 (one bond replaced by C–H): the symmetry is broken, the vectors no longer cancel, and the molecule has a real net dipole moment. …
Why this formula?
Great! Let's build a deep, concept-first understanding of Dipole Moment Trends — not just the formula, but why it works the way it does.
1. What is a Dipole Moment?
A dipole moment arises when there is a separation of charge within a molecule — one end is slightly positive (δ+), the other slightly negative (δ−). This is called a polar bond.
The dipole moment is a vector quantity: it has both magnitude and direction.
2. The Key Formula
The magnitude of the dipole moment (μ) for a pair of charges is given by:
μ=q×d
Where:
- q = magnitude of charge separation (in coulombs, but often in Debye units)
- d = distance between the centers of positive and negative charge (in meters or Ångströms)
Why this formula?
It comes directly from the definition: dipole moment measures how much the charges are "pulled apart" and how big those charges are. If you double the charge or double the separation, the dipole moment doubles. It's a product, not a sum.
3. Why the Formula Makes Physical Sense
Imagine a simple diatomic molecule like HCl:
- The H atom has δ+
- The Cl atom has δ−
The dipole moment points from positive to negative (by convention in chemistry, from δ+ to δ−).
- If the bond length d increases, the charges are farther apart → larger μ.
- If the electronegativity difference increases → larger q → larger μ.
So the formula μ=q×d captures both the "how much charge" and "how far apart" factors.
4. The Vector Nature — Why Direction Matters
In molecules with more than two atoms, dipole moments add as vectors, not scalars.
For example, in water (H2O):
- Each O–H bond has its own dipole moment (pointing from H to O).
- The molecule is bent (~104.5°), so the two bond dipoles partially cancel but not completely.
The net dipole moment is:
μnet=μ12+μ22+2μ1μ2cosθ
Where θ is the angle between the two bond dipoles.
Why this formula?
It's just the law of vector addition (parallelogram law). If the dipoles point in exactly opposite directions (θ=180∘), they cancel completely. If they point in the same direction (θ=0∘), they add fully.
5. Trends You Can Now Explain
| Trend | Why? (Based on formula) |
|---|---|
| Larger bond length → larger μ | d increases in μ=q×d |
Concept: Grignard Reagent Reactivity with Water
Grignard reagents (RMgX) are strongly nucleophilic and basic. The carbon–magnesium bond is highly polarised, making the carbon atom carbanion-like.
- Water acts as a proton source. Even trace moisture donates a proton (H+) to the carbanionic carbon.
- This instantly destroys the reagent: RMgX+H2O→RH+Mg(OH)X …
Grignard reagents are violently reactive with water — even a trace of moisture instantly destroys the reagent by protonating the carbanion, converting it into a useless hydrocarbon and preventing the desired nucleophilic addition reaction.
Grignard reagents (RMgX) are among the most powerful nucleophiles and bases in organic chemistry. The carbon directly bonded to magnesium carries a significant partial negative charge — it behaves essentially as a carbanion. This makes it extremely reactive toward any source of protons, and water is the most common and dangerous one.
The reaction is simple but devastating:
R−MgX+HX2OR−H+Mg(OH)X
The Grignard reagent is consumed, and the product is just the parent hydrocarbon (R−H). If you were trying to add the R group to a carbonyl compound, for example, you get nothing useful — the reagent is gone before it can react with your intended substrate.
Why even a trace matters
-
Stoichiometry is unforgiving. Grignard reagents are typically used in equimolar or slight excess amounts. Even a small amount of water — say, from wet glassware, a damp solvent, or humid air — will destroy a corresponding number of moles of the reagent. If 5% of your solvent is water, you lose 5% of your reagent. But in practice, the problem is worse.
-
Water is a much better proton donor than most substrates. The O−H bond in water is highly polar and the proton is very acidic compared to, say, the C−H bonds in your target molecule. The Grignard reagent will react with water first, before it can react with your intended electrophile (like a ketone or ester). So even a small amount of water acts as a competitive inhibitor.
-
The reaction is fast and irreversible. Unlike some equilibrium processes, the protonation of a Grignard reagent by water is essentially instantaneous and goes to completion. There is no way to "recover" the reagent once it has reacted.
A common mistake is to think that "a little bit of water just reduces the yield slightly." In reality, if water is present, the Grignard reagent reacts with it preferentially — so if there is enough water to consume even 10% of the reagent, the remaining 90% may still work, but the yield of your desired product drops proportionally. Worse, if the water is in the solvent or on the glassware, it can be distributed unevenly, leading to inconsistent results.
- Practical consequences. In the lab, this means:
- All glassware must be thoroughly dried (oven-dried or flame-dried).
- Solvents must be anhydrous (typically distilled over sodium/benzophenone or purchased as "anhydrous" grade).
- Reactions are carried out under an inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon) to exclude moist air.
- Even the substrate itself must be dry — if you're adding a ketone, it should be freshly distilled or dried over a molecular sieve.
A neat shortcut: if you suspect your solvent might be wet, add a small amount of a Grignard reagent (like methylmagnesium bromide) to the solvent first. If it fizzes or produces gas (methane from reaction with water), the solvent is not dry enough. This is called the "Grignard test" for dryness.
The deeper reason: the carbanion character …
Concept: Grignard Reagent Reactivity & Water as a Competing Reagent
Grignard reagents (RMgX) are strong nucleophiles and strong bases. Water (H2O) is a protic solvent — it has an acidic hydrogen that reacts instantly with the Grignard reagent.
Method: Protonolysis (Acid-Base Quenching) Analysis
Why moisture must be avoided — step-by-step reasoning:
-
Identify the reactive site
The carbon bonded to magnesium in RMgX carries a partial negative charge (δ−). This makes it a powerful base and nucleophile.
-
Recognize water as a proton donor
Water has a slightly acidic hydrogen (H−OH). The Grignard reagent abstracts this proton.
-
Write the destructive reaction
RMgX+H2O→RH+Mg(OH)X
-
Analyze the consequence
- The Grignard reagent is destroyed — converted into a simple alkane (RH) and a magnesium hydroxide salt.
- The desired carbon-carbon bond formation cannot occur because the reagent is gone.
-
Result for the intended reaction …
Here is a breakdown of the common mistakes students make regarding the necessity of anhydrous conditions for Grignard reagents, along with the correct conceptual understanding.
The Core Concept (The "Why")
A Grignard reagent (RMgX) is a strong nucleophile and a strong base. Its carbon atom carries a significant partial negative charge (δ−). Water (H2O) is a source of protons (H+). The Grignard reagent instantly reacts with any available proton.
The reaction is:
RMgX+H2O→RH+Mg(OH)X
The Grignard reagent is destroyed and converted into a useless alkane (RH). This is a protonolysis reaction.
Common Mistake #1: Thinking it's a "Reaction with Water" that is the only problem
- The Mistake: Students often memorize "Grignard reagents react with water" and stop there. They don't realize that any protic source (alcohols, acids, even moisture in the air or on glassware) causes the same problem.
- Why it's wrong: The question asks why even traces of moisture are a problem. A single drop of water can destroy many moles of Grignard reagent. The reagent is so reactive that it will react with the OH group in ethanol, the COOH group in acetic acid, or the NH group in an amine.
- How to Avoid: Understand the principle of protonolysis. The Grignard carbon is a carbanion-like center. It attacks any H+ (or H bonded to a more electronegative atom like O or N). Think of it as a "proton sponge" — it will grab any available proton, not just from water.
Common Mistake #2: Confusing the Role of Ether (Solvent)
- The Mistake: Students think the ether solvent is used because it is dry, or that the ether itself is the source of the problem.
- Why it's wrong: The ether (usually diethyl ether or THF) is not the problem. It is the solvent that stabilizes the Grignard reagent by coordinating to the magnesium atom. The problem is that commercial ether is often not perfectly dry and contains trace water.
- How to Avoid: Clearly separate the roles:
- Solvent (Ether): Provides stability and solubility. It is aprotic (no acidic H atoms).
- Contaminant (Water): The enemy. It is protic (has acidic H atoms).
- The Action: The Grignard reagent reacts with the water dissolved in the ether, not with the ether itself.
Common Mistake #3: Forgetting the Practical Consequence
- The Mistake: Students can state the reaction but fail to explain the consequence for the experiment. They say "it reacts with water" but don't say what happens to the yield or the product. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 15 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.Observe the following sets of molecules and identify the set in which all molecules have dipole moment (A) H2S,C6H6,CO2 (B) H2O,NH3,HCl (C) BeCl2,CS2,BBr3 (D) PbCl2,SnCl2,HgCl2
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests using molecular geometry (VSEPR) to decide whether bond dipoles cancel (non-polar) or add up to a net dipole (polar) for each molecule in a set. Answer: (B) H2O,NH3,HCl.
Concept and Intuition
A molecule has a net dipole moment only if its individual bond dipoles do not cancel by symmetry. Perfectly symmetric arrangements — linear (like CO2, CS2, BeCl2, HgCl2) or trigonal planar with identical substituents (like BBr3, C6H6's symmetric ring) — cancel their bond dipoles to zero net dipole moment, even though the individual bonds are polar. Bent or pyramidal geometries with lone pairs (like H2O, NH3) or simple diatomics with different atoms (like HCl) do not have this cancelling symmetry, so they retain a net dipole moment.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Option (A): H2S is bent/polar, but C6H6 (benzene) is symmetric/non-polar and CO2 is linear/non-polar — the set fails since not all three are polar.
- Option (B): H2O is bent (net dipole), NH3 is pyramidal (net dipole), HCl is a simple polar diatomic (net dipole) — all three have a dipole moment. ✓
- Option (C): BeCl2 (linear), CS2 (linear), BBr3 (trigonal planar) are all symmetric — all non-polar, so the set fails entirely. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.Consider the following Assertion (A) : Dipole moment of NF3 is lesser than NH3 Reason (R) : In NF3, the orbital dipole due to lone pair of electrons is in the opposite direction to the resultant dipole moment of the three N-F bonds The correct answer is (A) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A) (B) Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A) (C) (A) is correct, but (R) is not correct (D) (A) is not correct, but (R) is correct
›Reveal solutionSolution
Tests the classic NH3 vs NF3 dipole-moment anomaly; both the assertion and the reason are correct, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.
Concept and Intuition
Both NH3 and NF3 are pyramidal with a lone pair on N. The net dipole moment is the vector sum of the bond dipoles (N–H or N–F) and the lone-pair's orbital dipole. In NH3, N is more electronegative than H, so each N–H bond dipole points toward N; the lone pair's dipole also points away from the three bonded atoms (i.e., in the same general direction as the resultant bond-dipole vector on N) — the two reinforce, giving a fairly large net dipole (1.47 D). In NF3, F is more electronegative than N, so each N–F bond dipole points toward F, i.e., away from N — opposite in direction to the lone-pair dipole (which still points away from the bonded atoms, in the lone-pair's own direction on N). These now partly cancel, giving a much smaller net dipole (0.24 D).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Confirm Assertion: dipole moment of NF3 (≈0.24 D) is indeed less than NH3 (≈1.47 D) — Assertion is correct.
- Confirm Reason: in NF3, since F pulls bonding electron density away from N, the resultant bond dipole points from N towards the F atoms; the lone pair's orbital dipole points from the bonding region towards N (opposite sense). These oppose and partially cancel — Reason is correct. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.Consider the following halogen containing compounds I) CHCl3 II) CCl4 III) CH3F IV) 1,2-dichlorobenzene (benzene ring with Cl substituents at two adjacent carbons) V) 1,4-dichlorobenzene (Cl−C6H4−Cl, Cl substituents at opposite/para carbons) The compounds with a net dipole moment are (only = only) (A) I, IV, only (B) II, III, IV only (C) I, III and IV only (D) III, IV and V only
›Reveal solutionSolution
Molecular symmetry decides which of these halides have a net dipole moment: the fully symmetric CCl₄ and the para-disubstituted benzene cancel their bond dipoles to zero, while CHCl₃, CH₃F, and ortho-dichlorobenzene do not — leaving I, III, IV as polar.
Concept and Intuition
A molecule's net dipole moment is the vector sum of all its individual bond dipoles. Even molecules built from polar bonds can have zero net dipole if the bond dipoles are arranged symmetrically enough to cancel exactly (e.g., tetrahedral CCl4, or para-substituted benzene rings where the two substituent dipoles point in exactly opposite directions). Asymmetric arrangements (different substituents on a tetrahedral carbon, or ortho substitution on a ring) leave a net resultant dipole.
Step-by-Step Solution
- I) CHCl3: tetrahedral carbon bonded to 1 H and 3 Cl — the C-H bond dipole doesn't cancel the three C-Cl dipoles (different bond types, no symmetry axis to cancel them), so it has a significant net dipole moment (~1.0 D). Polar.
- II) CCl4: tetrahedral carbon bonded to 4 identical Cl atoms — by symmetry, the four C-Cl bond dipoles cancel exactly. Net dipole = 0. Non-polar.
- III) CH3F: tetrahedral carbon with a polar C-F bond and three C-H bonds — no cancelling symmetry, so it has a clear net dipole moment. Polar. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQQ.The order of dipole moments of H2O (A), CHCl3 (B) and NH3 (C) is (A) B<A<C (B) B<C<A (C) C<B<A (D) C<A<B
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests comparing molecular dipole moments from bond polarity and geometry; the order is CHCl₃ < NH₃ < H₂O.
Concept and Intuition
Dipole moment depends on both the polarity of individual bonds and how the bond dipoles add up vectorially given the molecular shape. CHCl3 has three polar C–Cl bonds and one much less polar C–H bond arranged tetrahedrally, giving a modest net dipole. NH3 is pyramidal with a lone pair reinforcing the resultant of the three N–H bond dipoles, giving a larger net moment. H2O is bent with a wide bond-dipole angle and a very electronegative O with two lone pairs, giving the largest net dipole moment among the three.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Standard experimental values: μ(CHCl3)≈1.04D, μ(NH3)≈1.47D, μ(H2O)≈1.85D. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-17-FN1 markMCQQ.Arrange the following molecules in decreasing order of their dipole moments H2O, NF3, H2S, NH3 (A) H2O>NF3>H2S>NH3 (B) NF3>H2O>H2S>NH3 (C) NF3>H2O>NH3>H2S (D) H2O>NH3>H2S>NF3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Comparing net dipole moments requires adding bond-dipole and lone-pair contributions vectorially; NF3 is anomalously low because its bond dipoles point opposite to the lone pair's, giving the order H2O>NH3>H2S>NF3.
Concept and Intuition
Net dipole moment is the vector sum of individual bond dipoles and the lone-pair contribution. In NH3, the N–H bond dipoles (H is less electronegative, so dipole points toward N) and the lone pair on N point in roughly the same direction, reinforcing the net moment. In NF3, F is more electronegative than N, so the N–F bond dipoles point away from N (toward F), which is roughly opposite to the lone pair's direction — the two effects partly cancel, giving a surprisingly small net dipole despite the highly polar N–F bonds. H2O has the largest moment due to its large bond-angle bend and highly polar O–H bonds; H2S is much smaller since S is less electronegative and the H–S bond less polar.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Recall typical dipole moments: H2O≈1.84 D (largest, small central atom + polar bonds + bent shape).
- NH3≈1.47 D (bond dipoles and lone pair add constructively). …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.In which of the following pairs, both molecules possess dipole moment? (A) CO2,BCl3 (B) BCl3,NF3 (C) CO2,SO2 (D) SO2,NF3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Determine molecular geometry for each species and check whether bond dipoles cancel by symmetry. Answer: SO2 and NF3.
Concept and Intuition
A molecule has zero net dipole moment only if its bond dipoles cancel by symmetry (e.g., linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral arrangements of identical bonds). Any distortion from these highly symmetric shapes — such as a bent or pyramidal geometry — usually leaves a net dipole.
Step-by-Step Solution
- CO2: linear (O=C=O), the two C=O bond dipoles point in opposite directions and cancel — nonpolar.
- BCl3: trigonal planar, three identical B–Cl dipoles at 120° cancel — nonpolar.
- SO2: bent (V-shaped) due to a lone pair on S — the two S–O bond dipoles do not cancel — net dipole present.
- NF3: pyramidal (lone pair on N) — the three N–F dipoles plus the lone pair's contribution do not cancel — net (small) dipole present. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set ap-2022-07-11-FN1 markMCQQ.The dipole moment value of which of the following molecules is maximum? (A) BeF2 (B) H2O (C) NH3 (D) CH4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Compares net dipole moments of four molecules using symmetry and geometry; water has the largest.
Concept and Intuition
A molecule's net dipole moment is the vector sum of all its individual bond dipoles. When the molecular geometry is highly symmetric (linear AX₂, tetrahedral AX₄) with identical substituents, the bond dipoles cancel exactly, giving zero net dipole regardless of how polar each individual bond is. Bent and pyramidal geometries with lone pairs, however, retain an uncancelled net dipole.
Step-by-Step Solution
- BeF2: linear, symmetric ⇒ μ=0.
- CH4: tetrahedral, symmetric ⇒ μ=0.
- NH3: pyramidal geometry with one lone pair ⇒ μ≈1.47 D. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set ap-2022-07-12-AN1 markMCQQ.In which of the following, the molecules are arranged in correct order of their dipole moments? (A) BF3<NH3<NF3 (B) NF3<NH3<BF3 (C) BF3<NF3<NH3 (D) NF3<BF3<NH3
›Reveal solutionSolution
BF3 has zero dipole (symmetric planar), NF3's lone pair opposes its bond dipoles (small net moment), and NH3's lone pair reinforces its bond dipoles (largest net moment): BF3<NF3<NH3.
Concept and Intuition
Net molecular dipole moment is the vector sum of individual bond dipoles plus any lone-pair contribution. Geometry and the direction of the lone-pair's dipole (which points away from the nucleus, into where the lone pair "bulges") critically affect whether the lone pair adds to or subtracts from the bond dipoles.
Step-by-Step Solution
- BF3: trigonal planar (no lone pair on B), the three B–F bond dipoles are symmetric at 120° and exactly cancel. μ=0.
- NH3: pyramidal, lone pair on N points opposite to the net bond-dipole resultant direction as drawn conventionally, and because N is more electronegative than H, bond dipoles point from H to N; the lone pair dipole adds constructively, giving a sizeable net moment (≈1.47 D). …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-AN1 markMCQQ.The correct order of dipole moment of the molecules NH3 (I), BF3 (II), H2O(III), NF3(IV) is (A) III > I > IV > II (B) IV > I > III > II (C) I > IV > II > III (D) III > II > I > IV
›Reveal solutionSolution
BF3 has zero dipole moment (symmetric trigonal planar); NF3's dipole is unusually small because the N lone pair opposes the N–F bond dipoles; H2O's bent shape with two lone pairs gives the largest moment, ahead of NH3's pyramidal shape.
Concept and Intuition
Net dipole moment depends on both bond polarity and molecular geometry (how bond dipoles and lone-pair effects add vectorially).
- BF3: trigonal planar, three identical B–F bond dipoles at 120∘ cancel exactly ⇒μ=0.
- NF3: pyramidal, like NH3, but F is more electronegative than N, so the N–F bond dipoles point toward F (away from N), largely opposing the lone pair's dipole contribution on N — giving an unusually small net moment.
- NH3: pyramidal; N–H bond dipoles point toward N, reinforcing the lone-pair dipole (both point the same way), giving a sizeable moment.
- H2O: bent, two lone pairs on O, both bond dipoles and the lone pairs reinforce strongly, giving the largest of these four moments.
Step-by-Step Solution
- BF3: μ=0 D by symmetry — smallest.
- NF3: bond dipoles oppose the lone pair effect ⇒μ≈0.24 D — still small, but slightly more than BF3. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-AN1 markMCQQ.Identify the correct statements from the following (I) SnCl2 is ionic, but SnCl4 is covalent in nature (II) All linear diatomic molecules have zero dipole moment (III) Both NO and O2 are paramagnetic (A) (I) and (II) only (B) (I) and (III) only (C) (II) and (III) only (D) (I), (II) and (III)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Statement (II) is false because heteronuclear diatomics can have nonzero dipole moment despite being linear; (I) and (III) are both correct chemistry facts.
Concept and Intuition
Each statement tests a distinct idea: (I) tests Fajan's rules — smaller, higher-charge cations polarize anions more, favoring covalent character (Sn⁴⁺ is smaller and more charged than Sn²⁺, so SnCl₄ is covalent while SnCl₂ is ionic). (II) tests dipole moment — being "linear" only describes geometry, not whether the bond is polar; a diatomic molecule is trivially linear (two points define a line), but if the two atoms have different electronegativities (heteronuclear, e.g. HCl, CO), the bond is polar and the molecule has a nonzero dipole moment. Only homonuclear diatomics (equal electronegativity, e.g. N₂, O₂, Cl₂) have zero dipole moment. (III) tests paramagnetism from molecular orbital theory — NO has an odd number of electrons (one unpaired), and O₂'s MO configuration places two electrons unpaired in degenerate π* orbitals; both are paramagnetic.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Evaluate (I): Sn²⁺ has a larger radius and lower charge than Sn⁴⁺, so by Fajan's rules Sn²⁺ polarizes Cl⁻ less (more ionic character in SnCl₂), while Sn⁴⁺ (smaller, higher charge) polarizes Cl⁻ strongly (more covalent character in SnCl₄). Statement (I) is TRUE. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set ap-2021-09-03-AN1 markMCQQ.Which molecule among the following has the highest dipole moment? (A) BiH3 (B) SbH3 (C) PH3 (D) NH3
›Reveal solutionSolution
NH3 has the highest dipole moment among the group-15 hydrides because nitrogen
is small and strongly electronegative, concentrating bond and lone-pair dipoles in
the same direction.
Concept and Intuition
Dipole moment in these pyramidal EH3 molecules comes from both the E–H bond
polarity and the lone pair on E, both pointing the same way. Down group 15, the
central atom becomes larger and less electronegative, so the E–H bonds become less
polar and the lone pair becomes more diffuse (occupying more s-character in a larger
orbital), reducing net dipole moment. Nitrogen, being the smallest and most
electronegative, gives the strongest, most concentrated dipole.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Dipole moment trend for group 15 hydrides: NH3>PH3>AsH3>SbH3>BiH3 (roughly; PH3 is anomalously low due to near-90° bond angles, but it is still …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQQ.Which of the following will have maximum dipole moment? (A) NF3 (B) NCl3 (C) NBr3 (D) NH3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Even though fluorine is far more electronegative than hydrogen, NH3 has a larger dipole moment than NF3 because the lone pair's contribution adds to the bond dipoles in NH3 but opposes them in NF3.
Concept and Intuition
Dipole moment isn't decided by electronegativity of the substituent alone — the lone pair on the central atom also contributes its own dipole. In NH3, since N is more electronegative than H, the N–H bond dipoles point from H toward N, and the lone pair (also centered on N, pointing away from the H atoms) points in roughly the same net direction as the bond dipoles resultant, so they add constructively. In NF3, F is more electronegative than N, so the N–F bond dipoles point from N toward F (opposite direction to the lone pair), and the lone pair opposes the resultant bond dipole, partially cancelling it.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Compare bond-dipole vs lone-pair-dipole directions in each molecule.
- NH3: bond dipoles point toward N (N more electronegative); lone pair also effectively points away from the H's on the same side as the bond-dipole resultant — they reinforce, giving μ(NH3)≈1.47D. …
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