Chapter 5, Problem 46E

${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{COCH}}_{\text{3}}$ (acetone) is a common laboratory solvent that is often used in nail polish remover. Its Lewis structure and space-filling molecular image are shown here:

Acetone is a polar molecule; the oxygen end has a slightly negative charge (oxygen is more electronegative), whereas the carbon and hydrogen end has a slightly positive charge. In liquid acetone, the molecules are attracted to each other via these polar ends-the positive end of one molecule is attracted to the negative end of its neighbor-and therefore align as shown here:

Draw a Lewis structure and space-filling molecular image for ${\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}{\text{Cl}}_{\text{2}}$ (dichloromethane), another common laboratory solvent. Is the molecule polar? Which end of the molecule has a slightly negative charge? Which end has a slightly positive charge? Draw several space-filling molecular images of ${\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}{\text{Cl}}_{\text{2}}$ showing how they align in liquid dichloromethane.