What is the geometry of dichloromethane?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the geometry of dichloromethane and the bond angles and lengths associated with its molecular structure, particularly before and after geometric optimization. Participants also explore the stability and bond angles of various isomers of diisopropylethene, raising questions about steric strain and the influence of bulky groups on molecular geometry.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the geometry of dichloromethane is tetrahedral based on initial bond angles, but question why angles and bond lengths increase after optimization.
  • There is a suggestion that bond angles may change to reduce steric strain, particularly with larger groups like Cl compared to smaller groups like H.
  • Participants discuss the stability of (E)-1,2-diisopropylethene, (Z)-diisopropylethene, and 1,1-diisopropylethene, noting that the (E) isomer appears to be the most stable due to the positioning of bulky groups.
  • Questions arise regarding the specific bond angles being measured and how they relate to the arrangement of bulky groups in the isomers.
  • Some participants express confusion about the relationship between bond angles and the arrangement of groups in the isomers, particularly regarding the influence of the IPr group on steric interactions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying viewpoints on the effects of optimization on bond angles and lengths, as well as the stability of different isomers. There is no consensus on the reasons behind the observed changes in bond angles or the stability of the isomers, indicating ongoing debate and uncertainty.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific bond lengths and angles but do not provide definitive measurements or conclusions about their implications. The discussion includes assumptions about steric effects and the influence of electronegativity, which remain unresolved.

jnimagine
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organic chem!

What is the geometry of dichloromethane?? Before optimization, Cl-C-Cl bond is 109.5, H-C-Cl bond is 67.8... so it must be tetrahedral... but after optimization, do the angles get bigger?? why?
and also, the bond length increases...
Why do angles and the bond length in dichloromethane increase when it's geometrically optimized??

Another question is...
when we examine (E)-1,2-diisopropylethene, (Z)-diisopropylethene, and 1,1-diisopropylethene... the molecular energies are different. (E) isomer has the least energy, so it's more stable and the 1,1-isomer's the least stable... i think...? why? does it have to do with how the bulky groups are far apart or not??
The most confusing part! is how the bond angle for these isomers are in a weird order... E has the smaller angle, and Z has the biggest... I can't figure out why! > . <
 
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Are you accounting for the influence of electronegativity and electron density?

Do you know about the concept of hyperconjugation?

What bond angles are you referring to specifically?
 


jnimagine said:
What is the geometry of dichloromethane?? Before optimization, Cl-C-Cl bond is 109.5, H-C-Cl bond is 67.8... so it must be tetrahedral... but after optimization, do the angles get bigger?? why?
and also, the bond length increases...
Why do angles and the bond length in dichloromethane increase when it's geometrically optimized??
Bond angles change (from an ideal tetrahedron) for what reason? What bond length did you start from? The bond length for C-H?

Another question is...
when we examine (E)-1,2-diisopropylethene, (Z)-diisopropylethene, and 1,1-diisopropylethene... the molecular energies are different. (E) isomer has the least energy, so it's more stable and the 1,1-isomer's the least stable... i think...? why? does it have to do with how the bulky groups are far apart or not??
Yep.
The most confusing part! is how the bond angle for these isomers are in a weird order... E has the smaller angle, and Z has the biggest... I can't figure out why! > . <
What angle are you measuring? The angle between the double bond and the IPr group or between the vinyl carbon's hydrogen and it's IPr group?
 


chemisttree said:
Bond angles change (from an ideal tetrahedron) for what reason? What bond length did you start from? The bond length for C-H?


Yep.

What angle are you measuring? The angle between the double bond and the IPr group or between the vinyl carbon's hydrogen and it's IPr group?

1. Does the bond angle change to reduce steric strain maybe?? and we measured the C-Cl bond length which was about 1.76 whereas after optimization, it went up to about 1.79A.
So again, does making the bonds be farther apart make it more stable??

2. ok the bond angle of C=C-C was measured for the three isomers..
so in increasing order it was E<1,1-ipr<Z... this doesn't quite make sense for me...
 


jnimagine said:
1. Does the bond angle change to reduce steric strain maybe?? and we measured the C-Cl bond length which was about 1.76 whereas after optimization, it went up to about 1.79A.
So again, does making the bonds be farther apart make it more stable??
Bigger groups like Cl don't like to be as close together as smaller groups like H.

2. ok the bond angle of C=C-C was measured for the three isomers..
so in increasing order it was E<1,1-ipr<Z... this doesn't quite make sense for me...
You can think of the IPr group as a big bulky thing that is pushing against its neighbor groups. It pushes against the geminal hydrogen and the other vinylic groups on the other carbon. You have to come to grips with the fact that hydrogen is small relative to IPr and that the vinyl (=CH2) carbon is smaller than IPr but bigger than hydrogen.
 


chemisttree said:
Bigger groups like Cl don't like to be as close together as smaller groups like H.


You can think of the IPr group as a big bulky thing that is pushing against its neighbor groups. It pushes against the geminal hydrogen and the other vinylic groups on the other carbon. You have to come to grips with the fact that hydrogen is small relative to IPr and that the vinyl (=CH2) carbon is smaller than IPr but bigger than hydrogen.

hmm I'm confused... aren't the IPr groups for all three isomers pushing against =CH2 regardless of how they're arranged?
 


jnimagine said:
hmm I'm confused... aren't the IPr groups for all three isomers pushing against =CH2 regardless of how they're arranged?

You have =CH2 in only one of the isomers.
 

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