What is the structure of fluoroform (CFH3)? Does it have a dipole, explain your answer.

CFH3 has a tetrahedral structure. It has a dipole pointing from the carbon to the fluorine because the fluorine is more electronegative than carbon. Fluorine is also much more electronegative than hydrogen so the C-F bond has a bigger bond dipole than the C-H bonds. So the C-H bonds don't cancel out the C-F bond dipole.

RC

Related Chemistry IB answers

All answers ▸

Explain why transition metals form coloured compounds when bonded to a ligand.


Why is the molecule CH4 tetrahedral whereas NH3 is not?


List the following compounds in order of increasing acidity in aqueous solution, giving reasons for your choices: HCl, HI, HBr, HF.


Describe and compare three features of the structure and bonding in the three allotropes of carbon: diamond, graphite and C60 fullerene.