Chemistry · Covalent Bonding: Concept of electronegativity, Fajan's rule, dipole moment, Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory and shapes of simple molecules
Which of the following compounds has a zero dipole moment?
Which of the following compounds has a zero dipole moment?
- A. 1,1 - Dichloroethylene
- B. cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
- C. trans- 1,2 - Dichloroethylene
- D. None of the above
Step-by-step solution
The dipole moment of a molecule depends on its geometry and bond polarities. In trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, the two C-Cl bonds are oriented opposite to each other due to the trans configuration, resulting in a cancellation of their dipole moments. Therefore, the net dipole moment is zero. In contrast, both 1,1-dichloroethylene and cis-1,2-dichloroethylene have non-zero dipole moments because their C-Cl bond dipoles do not cancel.