Partial bond polarization in Nitromethane.

[Ghost803]

Homework Statement

Using delta+ and delta-, show the polarization of the bonds in nitromethane.

Homework Equations

None, he just wrote that on the board. Had to look up the molecule on google. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitromethane

The Attempt at a Solution

I assume the delta + delta - means the partial charges. Nitrogen has electronegativity value roughly .5 above Carbon. Oxygen has electronegativity value roughly .4 above nitrogen.

I would assume then that Nitrogen is partial negative, and the bond between oxygen and nitrogen is non-polar covalent. But it seems odd to me that nitrogen would have a negative partial charge when it is bonded to two atoms more electronegative than it, albeit only by .4

 

[Nino MMP]

. The bond between carbon and nitrogen appears to be polar covalent, with nitrogen holding a partial negative charge and Carbon holding a partial positive charge. The same holds true for the bonds between Carbon and Oxygen.