Which is the strongest type of intermolecular force present in CHCl_3 (chloroform)?

• A. London dispersion forces
• B. Ion-dipole interactions
• C. Hydrogen bonding
• D. Dipole-dipole interactions

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the types of intermolecular forces that can exist in the molecule CHCl_3 (chloroform). These include London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, hydrogen bonding, and ion-dipole interactions.
2. Determine if CHCl_3 is polar or nonpolar. Since chlorine atoms are more electronegative than carbon and hydrogen, the molecule has a net dipole moment, making it polar.
3. Check for hydrogen bonding possibility. Hydrogen bonding requires a hydrogen atom bonded to highly electronegative atoms like N, O, or F. In CHCl_3, hydrogen is bonded to carbon, so hydrogen bonding is not possible.
4. Consider ion-dipole interactions. These occur between ions and polar molecules, but CHCl_3 is a neutral molecule, so ion-dipole interactions are not relevant here.
5. Conclude that the strongest intermolecular force in CHCl_3 is dipole-dipole interactions, which occur between polar molecules due to their permanent dipole moments.