Dipole-Dipole Attraction in Molecules: Analysis of BCl3, XeF4, AsH3, and SCl3

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In summary, the question is about the dipole dipole attraction between molecules in BCl3, XeF4, AsH3, and SCl3. BCl3 is a neutral substance due to its trigonal planar shape with balanced forces. XeF4 has a tetrahedral shape with a lone pair, causing an imbalanced charge and dipole dipole attraction between molecules. AsH3 also has a tetrahedral shape with a lone pair, leading to dipole dipole attraction between molecules. However, the Lewis structure of SCl3 is unknown and it is not a stable compound, so it is difficult to determine its dipole dipole attraction. The most similar structure found is SCl4.
  • #1
yecko
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Homework Statement


8pFdEDX.png

http://i.imgur.com/8pFdEDX.png

Homework Equations


polarity of the element

The Attempt at a Solution


BCl3 is a trigonal planar which the forces would be balanced. Thus it is a neutral substance.
XeF4 is with tetrahedral shape where one side is a lone pair, which the charge is imbalanced and it has dipole dipole attraction between molecules.
However, I don't know the other two - AsH3 and SCl3, which one is with dipole dipole attraction between molecules? And why? Thank you very much!
 
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  • #2
It is about shape of these molecules - are they symmetric enough to have a zero dipole moment?
 
  • #3
A good starting point would be to draw the Lewis structures of each compound so that it's easier to figure out their geometry.
 
  • #4
OK. I found AsH3 is with tetrahedral shape where one side is a lone pair, which the charge is imbalanced and it has dipole dipole attraction between molecules.

However, i can't even draw the electron diagram of SCl3. It seems there is a non-paired electron. There also no resources on SCl3 on the Internet.
The most similar structure I found is this one, SCl4. <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Sulfur_tetrachloride.svg >
How to draw the Lewis structures of SCl3?
Thanks
 
  • #5
I agree, SCl3 does not seem like it would be a stable compound. Can you check whether there was a typo in the question?
 

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