Question

How many of the following molecules are polar? xeCl2 COF2 PC4F SF6

Answer 1

XeCl2 is non- polar because of its linear geometry. Cl-Xe-Cl, the symmetry of Cl bonds around Xe, cancels the electronegativity difference in the molecule.

COF2 is a polar molecule. It has triagonal planar geometry and the symmetry isnt the same in every direction making the molecule polar.

PCl4F has a trigonal bipyramid geometry (AX5 ) . thus its a polar molecule as the electronegativities are not cancelled due to lack of overall symmetry.

SF6 has an octahedral arrangement , arranged in such a way that each two fluorine atoms lie opposite to each other. Thus due to the inherent symmetry, there is no net dipole moment making it non-polar.