Is HCl a dipole dipole?

Question

Cameron Andrews · Accepted Answer

Indeed.

Because chlorine is more electronegatively inclined than hydrogen, it will attract a greater number of electrons.

#delta^(+)H - Cldelta^(-)#

This may make it possible for interactions between dipoles.

#delta^(+)H - Cldelta^(-) --- delta^(+)H - Cldelta^(-)#

Remember to check electronegativity values to see if a dipole would be created between two atoms. If two atoms have the same electronegativity value then no dipole will be creation, for example #F_2# or #O_2# - they are molecules made of the same atom so will, therefore, have the same electronegativity value: therefore, no dipole can be created from this molecule.

As a side note: Do remember that the atom which pulls more electrons towards it will always have a #delta^(-)# because it has a greater concentration of electrons. In contrast, the less electronegative atom will always have a #delta^(+)# because it has less electrons and, thus, a slightly more positive charge than the more electronegative atom.

Cameron Andrews · Answer

undefined No, HCl is not a dipole-dipole molecule. It is a polar molecule with a permanent dipole moment due to the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and chlorine atoms. Dipole-dipole interactions occur between polar molecules, but HCl primarily exhibits dipole-ion interactions with water molecules or other polar solvents.