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Is SeCl2 polar or nonpolar? – Polarity of SeCl2

The question is –

Is SeCl2 polar or nonpolar?

Answer:

SeCl2 is polar.

Explanation:

Selenium dichloride (SeCl2) is a polar molecule as the dipole moments of polar Se-Cl bonds do not get canceled equally in the asymmetrical bent or V-shape of the molecule.

SeCl2 consists of two Se-Cl bonds.

Each Se-Cl bond is polar as it consists of an electronegativity difference of 0.61 units between the single covalently bonded selenium (E.N = 2.55) and chlorine (E.N = 3.16) atoms.

Chlorine, being more electronegative, attracts the Se-Cl shared electron cloud towards itself to a greater extent.

Thus the central Se-atom gains a partial positive (δ+) charge while each of the two terminal Cl-atoms gains partial negative (δ) charges.

Two lone pairs of electrons are present on the central Se-atom in SeCl2.

This leads to strong lone pair-lone pair and lone pair-bond pair electronic repulsions, thus distorting the overall shape and geometry of the molecule.

SeCl2 occupies a bent, angular, or V-shape, different from its ideal tetrahedral electron pair geometry.

The Se-Cl dipole moments do not get canceled in this asymmetric, bent shape. Thus SeCl2 is polar (net µ > 0).

is secl2 polar or nonpolar

Also, check –

How to identify polar or nonpolar compounds?

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