Question

Which among the following has the highest dipole moment?

• A. $CC{l}_4$
• B. $CHC{l}_3$
• C. $C{H}_{2}C{l}_2$
• D. $C{H}_{3}Cl$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $C{H}_{3}Cl$


$\begin{array}{ccc}\text{Name}& \text{Molecular}& \text{Dipole Moment}\\ & \text{Formula}& \text{(debyes, D)}\\ \text{Chloromethane}& C{H}_{3}Cl& 1.87\\ \text{Dichloromethane}& C{H}_{2}C{l}_2& 1.60\\ \text{Trichloromethane}& CHC{l}_3& 1.01\\ \text{Tetrachloromethane}& CC{l}_4& 0\end{array}$

With the increase in the number of $C-Cl$ bonds, dipole moment decreases due to the cancellation of the polarity vectors of $C-Cl$ bonds by each other and it is zero in the case of tetrachloromethane.