10.4 Which one of the following has the highest dipole moment?
(i) CH2Cl2 (ii) CHCl3 (iii) CCl4
The order of dipole moment will be :- CH2Cl2 > CHCl3 > CCl4.
The reason for the above order is given as- CCl4 is a symmetrical compound so its dipole moment will be zero. In case of CHCl3 , one of the Cl cancels dipole moment of the opposite Cl atom, so net dipole moment is just due to one Cl. In the case of CH2Cl2 , both Cl groups contribute to the dipole moment so it has the highest dipole moment among all.