Chemistry Question (10 points)?

RACHEL

New member
Would the following structures be polar or nonpolar? (Not applicable if the structure is an ion. Pick "ionic" in that case).
ClF3
PF3
BF3
 
All three of the structures feature covalent bonding.

If you draw a diagram for each, you will note that CIF3 would include C as the central atom with an I and 3 F around it, all with single bonds. Because F is the most electronegative atom, there will be a partial negative charge towards the F opposing I (draw it out and you will see it). Therefore, this is a polar molecule.

For PF3, P will be the central atom. However, you only have 3 F atoms surrounding it, so P would need 2 additional electrons to satisfy its octet. So, drawing the diagram, you will include 3F atoms along with a lone pair around P. The lone pair results in a partial negative charge on the molecule, therefore it is polar.

BF3 may look similar to PF3, but B does not adhere to the octet rule. Thus, if you draw the BF3 diagram, it will include B as the central atom and 3 F's around it, but without a lone pair. Because of its high symmetry, BF3 is non-polar.
 
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