Where Do HCl and NaOH Rank in Polarity Among Organic Compounds?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the ranking of the polarity of various organic compounds in relation to the inorganic compounds HCl and NaOH. Participants explore how these inorganic compounds compare to organic substances in terms of polarity, considering both theoretical and practical implications.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant ranks hexane, methylene chloride, ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, and water in increasing polarity, questioning where HCl and NaOH fit in this ranking.
  • Another participant suggests that HCl and NaOH represent extreme cases of polarity, potentially more polar than water.
  • A later reply questions whether HCl and NaOH would be positioned between hexane and methylene chloride, seeking clarification on the implications of polarity rankings.
  • It is noted that the ionic bond can be seen as a limiting case of polar-covalent bonds, which may influence the understanding of HCl and NaOH's polarity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the exact ranking of HCl and NaOH in relation to the organic compounds. There are competing views on their relative polarity, particularly regarding their position compared to water and other organic substances.

Contextual Notes

The discussion lacks definitive criteria for ranking polarity and does not resolve the implications of ionic versus polar-covalent bonds in this context.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in chemistry, particularly those exploring concepts of polarity in organic and inorganic compounds.

Soaring Crane
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Rank these compounds from least to most polar.


These are the following organic compounds that I ranked in increasing polarity:

hexane (nonpolar)
methylene chloride
ethyl alcohol
methyl alcohol
water (polar)

Now there are two inorganic compounds that I don't know how to place in all of these organic substances. They are HCl and NaOH. This acid and the base are polar, but how do they compare in polarity to all the organic substances I ranked?

Thanks.
 
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The ionic bond is nothing but the limiting case of the polar-covalent bond.
 
Does that mean that HCl and NaOH would be ranked between hexane and methylene chloride? (What do you mean by that?)

Thanks again for your time.
 
http://michele.usc.edu/105a/bonding/covalent2.html

he actually means that the HCl and NaOH are the limit in the most polar direction of polarity. The electrons are so unevenly distributed that the electrons that are normally shared are basically 'owned' by one of the molecules. so both of those compounds would be more polar than water
 

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