Does Electronegativity Vary in Different Bonded Atoms?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of electronegativity in the context of bonded atoms, specifically examining how electronegativity may vary when atoms form bonds, such as in carbon-oxygen (C-O) bonds. Participants explore theoretical implications and specific scenarios involving tertiary carbons and the influence of other groups on electron density.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the electronegativity of an atom changes when it forms a bond with a more electronegative atom, specifically asking if oxygen's electronegativity is less when bonded to carbon.
  • Another participant suggests that tertiary carbon's electron density is influenced by the presence of other groups, such as hydroxyl (OH) or a positive charge, and questions if this effect would persist without those groups.
  • Some participants assert that carbon has less electronegativity than oxygen, referencing the periodic trend of electronegativity increasing up and to the right of the periodic table.
  • There is contention regarding which atom attracts more electrons in a C-O bond, with some asserting that carbon attracts more, while others argue that oxygen is the more electronegative atom and thus attracts more electron density.
  • A participant reflects on the misunderstanding of electronegativity, noting that it should be considered in the context of bonded molecules rather than in isolation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether electronegativity can be assessed independently of bonding context, and there is no consensus on which atom attracts more electron density in a C-O bond. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the influence of other groups on electron density in tertiary carbons.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of electronegativity as it relates to bonding, indicating that assumptions about electronegativity may depend on specific molecular contexts and the presence of other functional groups.

nandinitri
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
i wanted to ask this….
1. if an atom forms a bond with some atom of different element,say
C-O ,then since O attracts elec more ,can we say tht it now it has less electronegativity compared to only O?
2. in a tertiary carbon why do electrons get pushed towards the central C,is it because of the presence of some other group,say OH or +ve charge(carbocation) or would it still occur if they were not attached…??(cud it be bcoz of the slight electronegativity difference between C and H??)
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
someone please help!
 
I don't know if I've interpreted your question correctly but,

1. yes, C has less electronegativity than oxygen. Remember, the electronegativity trend increases as you go up and to the right of the perioid table..so an arrow towards fluorine.
ch3
2. Tertiary carbon, ch3-c-ch3, wouldn't this molecule be nonpolar?
ch3

since there isn't really an electronegativity difference big enough..why would the electron density be pulled by the central carbon??
 
Isn't it C which attracts more electrons in C-O ?
 
No, oxygen attracts more electron density...it's more electronegative than C
 
keisu said:
No, oxygen attracts more electron density...it's more electronegative than C

absolutly right as dipole of oxygen more than carbon!
 
thanks all of you...i think one mistake i was making was you can't really tell the electronegativity in an element ...it happens in a bonded molecule ...(in my 1st question!
 

Similar threads

Non polar molecule with polar bonds?
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
5K
How do covalent bonds of the same molecule form?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Is Dragos rule evidence of hybridization theory's failure?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Why are CFC-Gases Inert Despite Their High Electronegativity?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
Why does each element only react with certain elements?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Chemistry How do we know ##BF_3## has Lewis structure but ##Al_2S_3## does not?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
High School Students: Chemistry, Ionic/Covalent Bonds, Urea & Hydroxyurea
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Distance between atoms in a bond
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Why Is Understanding Biochemistry Foundations Crucial for Medical Students?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate Does electronegativity affect rate of entropy increase?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K