Polar molecules contain positive and negative poles. This is a result of an unsymmetrical distribution of electrons. In DMSO, Oxygen is more electro-negative than sulfur. As a result of this, the electrons tend to move closer to the nucleus of the oxygen atom. This creates a dipole with the cloud of electrons concentrated more around the oxygen. Sulfur is more electro-negative than carbon. Therefore, there would also be a polarity between sulfur and carbon with the electron cloud being concentrated towards sulfur. Due to the multiple polar bonds in the molecule itself the overall molecule is considered polar.
The differences between the electronegativity of atoms are:
Between sulfur and oxygen: .9 (moderately covalent)
Between sulfur and carbon: .1 (very covalent)
Between carbon and hydrogen: .3 (very covalent)
Polar:
ReplyDeleteMara is correct. She clearly stated it is polar and she also did a very nice job describing everything.