MOLECULAR POLARITYFIELD NOTE 127 / 175
Is HOCl polar or nonpolar?
HOCl is polar because the H–O and O–Cl bonds meet at a bent oxygen with unlike ends.
Hypochlorous Acid · bent at O
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 HOCl is polar
Oxygen bonds to hydrogen and chlorine and keeps two lone pairs. The two bonds differ in polarity and form an angle rather than one straight opposing line, leaving a net molecular dipole.
What to notice
HOCl is not arranged H–Cl–O: oxygen is the central atom. Correct connectivity matters before comparing bond-dipole directions.
Common questions about HOCl
- 01
What does the Lewis structure of HOCl show?
The connectivity is H–O–Cl. Oxygen has two lone pairs, and chlorine has three.
- 02
What is the molecular geometry of HOCl?
HOCl has a bent at O molecular geometry. The 3D model shows representative bond angles of 110.4°. These angles come from the displayed model coordinates.
- 03
What is the molar mass of HOCl?
HOCl has an approximate molar mass of 52.46 g/mol, calculated from its formula using abridged standard atomic weights. Natural isotope variation can change the last digits.