is the molecule SCl2 ionic, polar, or nonpolar?

Question

i calculated the electronegativity and got 3.5 so that is suppose to be ionic, right? not sure, thank you!!!

 

Answer 1

Not, that is not correct.  I'm not sure where you got 3.5. First, to determine if it is ionic or covalent (molecular), look to see if it is a metal bonded to a non metal.  If so, it is ionic.  This is NOT the case for SCl2.  Both are non metals.  Also, look at the difference in electronegativity (EN) values.  The greater the difference, the more ionic character it has. The EN value of S is 2.58 and that for Cl is 3.16. The difference is 0.55 so EACH S-Cl BOND is slightly polar, but not enough to be ionic. It is covalent (molecular).  Now, to determine if the molecule is polar, you need to look at the Lewis dot structure. It has a bent molecular geometry, just like water, so IT IS A POLAR COVALENT MOLECULE.