Multiple Choice
Which of the following molecules would exhibit a dipole-dipole interaction as shown in a typical dipole-dipole diagram?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Dipole Moment
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Which type of intermolecular force is present in hydrogen cyanide (HCN) due to its molecular dipole moment?
A
Hydrogen bonding
B
London dispersion forces only
C
Dipole-dipole forces
D
No intermolecular forces
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the molecular structure of hydrogen cyanide (HCN). It consists of a hydrogen atom bonded to a carbon atom, which is triple bonded to a nitrogen atom.
Determine the polarity of the molecule by considering the electronegativities of the atoms involved. The C≡N bond is highly polar due to the difference in electronegativity between carbon and nitrogen, and the H–C bond also contributes to the overall dipole moment.
Recognize that because HCN has a permanent dipole moment (uneven distribution of electron density), it exhibits dipole-dipole intermolecular forces.
Recall that hydrogen bonding requires a hydrogen atom directly bonded to highly electronegative atoms like N, O, or F. In HCN, the hydrogen is bonded to carbon, so hydrogen bonding is not present.
Note that London dispersion forces are present in all molecules but are not the only forces here; the dominant intermolecular force due to the dipole moment in HCN is dipole-dipole interaction.
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