MOLECULAR POLARITYFIELD NOTE 21 / 175
Is C2H5Cl polar or nonpolar?
C2H5Cl is polar because the C–Cl bond distinguishes one end of the ethane framework.
Chloroethane · tetrahedral at each C
The molecule in space
Drag to turn the molecule. Show angles to read the model geometry.
01 / MODEL RECORDPubChem 3D coordinates. Atom sizes and bond thickness are illustrative.How model data is used ↗
Why C2H5Cl is polar
The two carbons are locally tetrahedral, but one terminal H of ethane is replaced by chlorine. The polar C–Cl bond creates a charge imbalance that the hydrocarbon bonds do not cancel.
What to notice
Ethane is nearly symmetric and nonpolar; chloroethane is not. One different terminal atom can change the molecular dipole without changing carbon's local shape.
Common questions about C2H5Cl
- 01
What does the Lewis structure of C2H5Cl show?
The connectivity is CH3–CH2–Cl. Both carbons make four single bonds; chlorine keeps three lone pairs.
- 02
What is the molecular geometry of C2H5Cl?
C2H5Cl has a tetrahedral at each C molecular geometry. The 3D model shows representative bond angles of 110.5° and 108° and 110.8°. These angles come from the displayed model coordinates.
- 03
What is the molar mass of C2H5Cl?
C2H5Cl has an approximate molar mass of 64.51 g/mol, calculated from its formula using abridged standard atomic weights. Natural isotope variation can change the last digits.