Chapter 11.6, Problem 11.16P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The explanation for the polar nature of dimethyl ether $\left({\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{OCH}}_{\text{3}}\right)$ should be determined.

Concept introduction:

Polarity of any individual bond is determined by the electro-negativities of the atoms forming a bond. Any covalent bond is non-polar when two identical atoms or of similar electro-negativity are bonded together. $\text{C}-\text{H}\text{and}\text{C}-\text{C}$ bonds are said to be non-polar as their electro-negativities are similar. Bond is said to be polar when two atoms of different electro-negativity are bonded such as bond between carbon atom and hetero-atoms $\left(\text{N},\text{O},\text{halogens}\right)$ . ${\text{δ}}^{+}\text{and}{\text{δ}}^{-}$ symbols are given to atoms of less and more electro-negative respectively. Molecule is said to be non-polar if individual bond dipoles cancel in a molecule and if not then the molecule is said to be polar.