It is polar because of the presence of two chloro groups but is not miscible with water; however, it does show miscibility with various organic solvents such as chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, hexane, benzene, ethyl acetate, and alcohols.The preparation of CH2Cl2 involves a high-temperature treatment of methane or chloromethane with chlorine gas.CH2Cl2 is considered toxic; its overexposure via inhalation leads to dizziness, nausea, numbness, and weakness. It is also metabolized in the body to form carbon monoxide and can cause poisoning.
CH2Cl2 Lewis Structure
The Lewis theory of chemical bonding—although quite primitive and the most limited theory on electronic structure—does help one to determine how valence electrons are arranged around the constituent atoms in a molecule.The purpose of this theory is to help visualize the chemical bonding of atoms in molecules.Electrons are represented as dots, and each pair of bonding electrons between two atoms is shown as a line. The structures drawn using this theory are termed Lewis (dot) structures.Please note that several atoms follow the octet rule, i.e., they tend to achieve eight electrons in their valence shell through chemical bonding; this is reflected in the Lewis structure of the molecule.Hydrogen, however, does tend towards a duplet, not octet, because it has only one electron in its K shell, and thus needs only one more to achieve the maximum capacity of the K shell.Let us take a look at the chemical bonding represented by Lewis structure in CH2Cl2.
Step 1. We shall start by calculating the number of valence electrons in each atom of CH2Cl2 in order to see how short an atom is from an octet (or duplet in the case of hydrogen).i. The atomic number of carbon is 6; therefore, it possesses 6 electrons in its neutral form. There are 2 electrons in its K shell and 4 electrons in the L shell. Thus, the number of valence electrons is 4. To achieve the octet, carbon needs 4 more electrons.ii. Similarly, the atomic number of hydrogen is 1; thus, each H has 1 electron and needs 1 more to achieve the duplet.iii. The atomic number of chlorine is 17. K shell has 2 electrons, L shell has 8, and M shell has 7 electrons. The number of valence electrons is therefore 7, and hence Cl needs 1 more to achieve the octet.Step 2. Next, we shall figure out the central atom to which the rest of the atoms shall be bonded. The central atom is the one that has the highest bonding capacity; it is the atom that is the shortest of the octet. In CH2Cl2, carbon satisfies this condition (4 electrons short of the octet versus 1 for chlorine).Step 3. Now, we shall construct a skeleton of the molecule with carbon as the central atom. Carbon needs 4 more electrons for its octet to be complete. Two hydrogen atoms and two chlorine atoms can help carbon achieve this feat!Simultaneously, both hydrogen atoms will achieve their respective duplets, and both chlorine atoms will achieve their respective octets, and thereby the situation will be a win-win for all five atoms.Carbon will be singly bonded to H, H, Cl, and Cl, as shown in the Lewis structure.The molecule is neutral, i.e., there is no charge on it. Let us calculate the formal charges on each of the constituent atoms. The formula for the formal charge is as follows.Formal charge (FC) = Valence electrons – 0.5*bonding electrons – non-bonding electronsFor carbon, FC = 0; for hydrogen, FC = 0; and for Cl, FC = 0.
CH2Cl2 Hybridization
A bond is formed between two atoms by the virtue of the overlap of orbitals on two atoms as these orbitals share electrons.Let us look at the ground state electronic configuration of each atom in CH2Cl2 in terms of the orbitals.C: 1s22s22px12py12pz0H: 1s1Cl: 1s22s22px22py22pz23s23px23py23pz1Carbon, in the excited state, has one of the 2s electrons promoted to 2p; therefore, the electronic configuration becomes 1s22s22px12py12pz1. 2s, 2px, 2py, and 2pz orbitals of carbon are now half-filled.These four orbitals hybridize together to form four identical sp3 orbitals, all of which have the same energy. Each of these hybrid orbitals has one electron and can accept one more.One electron each comes from H, H, Cl, and Cl atoms: 1s1 of each H and 3pz1 of each Cl. This leads to the formation of four single bonds (also called sigma bonds) with four sp3 hybrid orbitals of carbon.Another way of determining the hybridization of the central atom is by using the following formula.Hybridization = A + (VE – V – C)/2,whereA is the number of atoms/groups attached to the central atom;VE is the number of valence electrons on the central atom;V is the valency of the central atom;C is the charge on the central atom.Herein, A = 4, VE = 4, V = 4, C = 0; therefore, Hyb = 4, corresponding to sp3.
CH2Cl2 Molecular Geometry
The geometry of a molecule can be determined using the hybridization of the central atom. Corresponding to sp3 hybridization, the geometry is tetrahedral when there are no lone pairs of electrons on the central atom.Valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory helps to determine the geometry of a molecule on the basis of stoichiometry, the number of bond pairs, and the number of lone pairs on the central atom.The fundamental idea behind this theory is that a molecule adopts such an arrangement of its constituent atoms that the repulsion arising from the valence shell electrons on all atoms is minimum.The following table lists this information—on the basis of VSEPR theory— for various molecular stoichiometries.
According to the above table, the geometry of CH2Cl2 is tetrahedral, corresponding to the conditions stated for AX4.The tetrahedral shape of CH2Cl2 is not perfect unlike that of CH4. This is because CH4 has all the identical hydrogen atoms around carbon, whereas CH2Cl2 has 2 H and 2 Cl.This is reflected in the slight asymmetry in the molecular shape of the latter. This means that the bond angles and bond lengths in CH2Cl2 are not identical; however, all bond angles are identical in CH4.
CH2Cl2 Polarity
The CH2Cl2 molecule is polar in nature.As the shape of the molecule is tetrahedral and Carbon and Chlorine have a difference in their electronegativity. The asymmetric shape and electronegativity difference between atoms is an important aspect in determining whether a molecule is polar or not.Thus C-Cl bond is polar and the overall charge distribution across the molecule is non-uniform. For detailed information, you must read out an article on the polarity of CH2Cl2.
Molecular Orbital Diagram for CH2Cl2
The premise of molecular orbital (MO) theory is that all the constituent atoms contribute towards the formation of molecular orbitals, which are a linear combination of the atomic orbitals. As per this theory, the electrons in a molecule are not individually assigned to atomic orbitals but to molecular orbitals.Check out the MO diagram for CH2Cl2. The 2s and 2p orbitals of carbon mix (to different extents) with 1s orbitals of the two hydrogen atoms and 2pz orbitals of the two chlorine atoms.Note that there are 8 atomic orbitals mixing to form 8 molecular orbitals. The extent of mixing and thus the contribution of individual atomic orbitals to form a particular molecular orbital depends on the relative energy alignment of the atomic orbitals.Electron filling starts from the least energetic molecular orbital. The filled molecular orbitals are called bonding orbitals; the unfilled ones are anti-bonding orbitals.When there is a lone pair an atomic orbital, that atomic orbital does not mix with any other orbital and forms a non-bonding molecular orbital.
Conclusion
The overview provided in this article helps in establishing a basic understanding of the structure of CH2Cl2 through chemical bonding.In case, you have questions floating in your mind, please let me know.Happy learning!
FAQs
What is the hybridization structure of ch2cl2? ›
In CH2Cl−CH2Cl is one s orbital and 3 p orbitals belonging to the same shell of an atom mix together to form four new equivalent orbital, the type of hybridization is called a tetrahedral hybridization or sp3.
What is the bond angle for ch2cl2? ›The central atom has four atoms and no lone pair, therefore, both the electron and molecular geometries are tetrahedral: Steric number 4 corresponds to sp3-hybridization where the idealized bond angles are 109.5o.
What is the structure of ch2cl2? ›The molecular geometry of CH2Cl2 is tetrahedral.
The central atom Carbon (C) is bonded with four atoms (two hydrogen and two chlorine atoms) and it has no lone pair which means, it is an AX4 type molecule, as per VSEPR theory, its geometry or shape is tetrahedral.
In the formation of C2H2, the carbon atom needs extra electrons to form 4 bonds with hydrogen and other carbon atoms. As a result, one 2s2 pair is moved to the empty 2pz orbital. The 2s orbital in each carbon hybridizes with one of the 2p orbitals and forms two sp hybrid orbitals.
How do you find the hybridization of a structure? ›...
Add these two numbers together.
- If it's 4, your atom is sp3.
- If it's 3, your atom is sp2.
- If it's 2, your atom is sp.
The shape of the compound is a trigonal pyramidal.
What is the shape and polarity of CH2Cl2? ›Dichloromethane CH2Cl2 (also called methylene dichloride) is polar molecule as individual bond dipoles do not cancel each other. The molecule has tetrahedral geometry.
Is CH2Cl2 tetrahedral polar or nonpolar? ›(a) The CH2Cl2 molecule is polar in nature as the C-Cl bond has a polarity difference. The net dipole moment does not cancel out each other as it has tetrahedral geometry. This molecule is polar.
How many bonds does CH2Cl2 have? ›Carbon will share all 4 valence electrons through 4 single covalent bonds to 2 terminal hydrogen atoms and 2 terminal chlorine atoms. Each chlorine atom shares 1 valence electron. Each hydrogen atom shares its only electron.
What functional group is CH2Cl2? ›Dichloromethane, CH2Cl2 (DCM), also known as methylene chloride, is a halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon compound.
Does C2H2 have sp3 hybridization? ›
CH4 has sp3 hybridization whereas C2H2 has sp hybridization.
What is the hybridization shape of C2H4? ›C2H4 has an sp2 Hybridization process. In this Hybridization one 's' and two 'p' orbitals are mixed to give three new sp2 hybrid orbitals which all are in the same shape and equivalent energies. These three sp2 hybrid orbitals are at an angle of 120 degrees and give a trigonal planar shape.
What is sp3 hybridized? ›The term “sp3 hybridization” refers to the mixing character of one 2s-orbital and three 2p-orbitals to create four hybrid orbitals with similar characteristics. In order for an atom to be sp3 hybridized, it must have an s orbital and three p orbitals.
How do you find hybridization and geometry? ›The five basic shapes of hybridization are linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, and octahedral. The geometry of the orbital arrangement: Linear: Two electron groups are involved resulting in sp hybridization, the angle between the orbitals is 180°.
How do you find the hybridization and geometry of a molecule? ›Hint: Shape and hybridization of a molecule can be calculated by using some rules i.e. first write the Lewis structure then calculate the number of sigma bonds and lone pair then determine the steric number (steric number is composed of number of lone pairs and sigma bonds) and then finally assign the hybridization and ...
What is sp3 sp2 SP hybridization? ›All the carbon atoms in an alkane are sp3 hybridized with tetrahedral geometry. The carbons in alkenes and other atoms with a double bond are often sp2 hybridized and have trigonal planar geometry. The triple bond, on the other hand, is characteristic for alkynes where the carbon atoms are sp-hybridized.
Does CH2Cl2 have a tetrahedral shape? ›It is tetrahedral. The electrons on the chlorine atoms repel each other and so the chlorine atoms try to get as far away from each other as possible (well not really, they aren't sentient, but anyways). The geometry that puts four atoms as far away from each other as possible is the tetrahedron.
What is the molecular geometry of CH3Cl? ›Thus, CH3Cl's molecular geometry is tetrahedral, and its bond angles are 109.5°.
What are the valence electrons in the Lewis structure of CH2Cl2? ›Chemical Bonding: CH2Cl2 Lewis Structure
We have a total of 20 valence electrons for CH2Cl2. Carbon is less electronegative than Chlorine, so it'll go on the inside, and Hydrogens always go on the outside.
CH2Cl2 is polar, whereas CCl4 is not. Therefore, CH2Cl2 interacts with H2O via dipole-dipole forces, while CCl4 only interacts with water via dipole/induced dipole forces or LDFs, which would be weaker.
Why is CH2Cl2 is a polar molecule even though it is a symmetrical molecule? ›
The four bond pairs are arranged in a tetrahedral geometry. The structure leads to the addition of the bond dipoles and not the cancelation of the bond dipoles. Thus, the molecule is polar.
Is CH2Cl2 planar? ›In the case for CH2Cl2, the molecular structure it makes is not a planar square as depicted on paper, but a distorted tetrahedral where there would be an overall dipole moment.
How many lone pairs does CH2Cl2 have? ›CH2Cl2 lewis structure lone pairs
Both the chlorine atoms have three lone pairs in each and carbon or hydrogen atom does not have any lone pairs.
Dichloromethane, commonly called methylene chloride, is a solvent that is widely used in chemical research and manufacturing.
What is the hybridization of C2H2Cl2? ›How does the hybridization of carbon change as it goes from C2H2 + Cl2 -> C2H2Cl2 ? The hybridization of carbon changes from sp to sp3. There are 3 bonds in C2H2 molecule, however there are only two bonds connected to the central atom, C, therefore the hybridization would be sp.
Is CH2F2 sp3 hybridization? ›CH2F2 Hybridization
We observe that there are four covalent bonds present in the molecule. This gives us a steric number of 4 and, as such, results in a hybridization of sp3 for the central carbon atom.
CH2Cl2 lewis structure molecular geometry
Analysing VSEPR theory it can be concluded that CH2Cl2 possesses a tetrahedral like molecular geometry (Methane like structure) as the carbon atom ( central atom) have two different types of atoms ( two hydrogen and two chlorine) around it.
Central Carbon is hybridized as the molecule forms all the four bonds in the compound. An electron from the 22 orbital and three other electrons from 2p orbitals participate in forming bonds. Thus the hybridization of Carbon atom in CH2Cl2 is sp3.
What is hybridization in molecular geometry? ›Redistribution of the energy of orbitals of individual atoms to give orbitals of equivalent energy happens when two atomic orbitals combine to form a hybrid orbital in a molecule. This process is called hybridization.
What is the hybridization shape of c2h4? ›C2H4 has an sp2 Hybridization process. In this Hybridization one 's' and two 'p' orbitals are mixed to give three new sp2 hybrid orbitals which all are in the same shape and equivalent energies. These three sp2 hybrid orbitals are at an angle of 120 degrees and give a trigonal planar shape.
How do you find sp3 hybridization? ›
Count the number of lone pairs + the number of atoms that are directly attached to the central atom. This is the steric number (SN) of the central atom. For example, the O atom in water (H₂O) has 2 lone pairs and 2 directly attached atoms. ∴ SN = 2 + 2 = 4, and hybridization is sp³.
How do you know if a compound is sp3 or sp2? ›Count the variety of lone pairs attached to it. Add these two numbers together. If it's 4, your atom is sp3. If it's 3, your atom is sp2.
Is CH2Cl2 square planar? ›Re: Atom arrangement of CH2Cl2
You would be right if CH2Cl2 had a square planar geometry, but its steric number is 4, not 6. Therefore you know it has a tetrahedral geometry, and if you pick any two places for Cl and H to be randomly, you would see it has a net dipole moment towards the side with the two H.
The presence of 2 "C-H" and 2 "C-Cl" bonds indicates that we have a total of 4 bonding groups on the central carbon atom.
How many electrons should be shown in the Lewis structure for CH2Cl2? ›Transcript: This is the Lewis structure for CH2Cl2. We have a total of 20 valence electrons for CH2Cl2.