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Is SeH2 polar or nonpolar? – Polarity of SeH2

The question is –

Is SeH2 polar or nonpolar?

Answer:

SeH2 is a polar molecule (net µ = 0.63 D).

Explanation:

Hydrogen selenide (SeH2) is a polar molecule as the dipole moments of two individually polar Se-H bonds do not get canceled in the asymmetric, bent, or V-shape of the molecule.

SeH2 possesses two Se-H bonds.

Each Se-H bond is slightly polar as it possesses an electronegativity difference of 0.35 units between the single-covalently bonded selenium (E.N = 2.55) and hydrogen (E.N = 2.20) atoms.

The central Se-atom occupies a slight negative charge (δ) while each of the two H-atoms at the sides gains partial positive charges (δ+) in the SeH2 molecule.

Each Se-H bond thus has a small dipole moment value (symbol µ).

The central Se-atom possesses 2 lone pairs of electrons, which leads to strong lone pair-lone pair and lone pair-bond pair electronic repulsions in the molecule.

Hence, the SeH2 molecule occupies an asymmetric bent shape, different from its ideal tetrahedral electron pair geometry.

is seh2 polar or nonpolar

 Se-H dipole moments do not get canceled in this asymmetric shape.

Consequently, the charged electron cloud stays non-uniformly spread over the molecule, which leads to an enhanced polarity effect and an overall polar hydrogen selenide molecule (net µ> 0).

Also, check –

H2Se lewis structure, molecular geometry, hybridization, bond angle

How to identify polar or nonpolar compounds?

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