Question 12

Explain why

(i) the dipole moment of chlorobenzene is lower than that of cyclohexyl chloride?

(ii) alkyl halides, though polar, are immiscible with water?

(iii) Grignard reagents should be prepared under anhydrous conditions?

Answer

(i)

In chlorobenzene, the Cl-atom is linked to a sp² hybridized carbon atom. In cyclohexyl chloride, the Cl-atom is linked to a sp³ hybridized carbon atom. Now, sp² hybridized carbon has more s-character than sp³ hybridized carbon atom. Therefore, the former is more electronegative than the latter. Therefore, the density of electrons of C - Cl bond near the Cl-atom is less in chlorobenzene than in cydohexyl chloride.

Moreover, the - R effect of the benzene ring of chlorobenzene decreases the electron density of the C - Cl bond near the Cl-atom. As a result, the polarity of the C - Cl bond in chlorobenzene decreases. Hence, the dipole moment of chlorobenzene is lower than that of cyclohexyl chloride.

(ii) To be miscible with water, the solute-water force of attraction must be stronger than the solute-solute and water-water forces of attraction. Alkyl halides are polar molecules and so held together by dipole-dipole interactions. Similarly, strong H-bonds exist between the water molecules. The new force of attraction between the alkyl halides and water molecules is weaker than the alkyl halide-alkyl halide and water-water forces of attraction. Hence, alkyl halides (though polar) are immiscible with water.

(iii) Grignard reagents are very reactive. In the presence of moisture, they react to give alkanes.