CCl4 (Carbon tetrachloride) is a covalent (nonpolar covalent) compound because when one nonmetal combines with another nonmetal, it usually forms a covalent compound. Here, C is a nonmetal and Cl is also a nonmetal. So when they combine, it forms a covalent compound.
Well, now you have got to know that CCl4 is a covalent compound, but let me explain the in-depth reason why CCl4 is a covalent compound.
If you are a visual learner like me, then here is a short one minute video for you.
Why is CCl4 a Covalent compound?
As mentioned above, you can simply remember that when the nonmetal combines with another nonmetal, the bond between them is a covalent bond.
Here in CCl4, the C atom is a nonmetal and the Cl atom is also a nonmetal.
Hence the bond between them is a covalent bond.
How does the covalent bond form in CCl4?
In CCl4, there are two atoms;
C and Cl.
About Carbon (C):
Carbon atom have 6 electrons.
The electrons arrangement in Carbon (C) is 2, 4.
So the outermost orbit of Carbon atom has 4 electrons.
Now in order to achieve a stable octet, the Carbon atom needs 4 more electrons.
Hence during the chemical reaction, the Carbon atom will gain 4 electrons from the combining atom to form a stable octet.
About Chlorine (Cl):
Chlorine atom have 17 electrons.
The electrons arrangement in Chlorine (Cl) is 2, 8, 7.
So the outermost orbit of Chlorine atom has 7 electrons.
Now in order to achieve a stable octet, the Chlorine atom needs 1 more electron.
Hence during the chemical reaction, the Chlorine atom will gain 1 electron from the combining atom to form a stable octet.
What happens when C and Cl combine?
When C and Cl combine with each other, the Carbon atom and Chlorine atoms mutually share their 1-1 electrons with each other.
Because of this the carbon atom will have 8 electrons in its outermost orbit and similarly the chlorine atoms will also have 8 electrons in its outermost orbit.
As a result, the carbon atom and chlorine atoms will have a stable octet.
And finally, as the bond formed between the carbon and chlorine is due to the mutual sharing of electrons, it is considered a covalent bond.
Thus, CCl4 is a covalent compound.
Is CCl4 polar covalent or nonpolar covalent?
In order to know whether CCl4 is a polar covalent molecule or nonpolar covalent molecule, we have to check the electronegativity difference of the combining atoms.
If the electronegativity difference (ΔEN) is less than 0.4, then the bond is nonpolar covalent bond.
If the electronegativity difference (ΔEN) is between 0.4 to 1.7, then the bond is polar covalent bond. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Now the electronegativity of Carbon and Chlorine are mentioned below. (You can see the electronegativity of all the elements from this electronegativity chart).
- Electronegativity of Carbon (C) = 2.55
- Electronegativity of Chlorine (Cl) = 3.16
So for CCl4, the electronegativity difference (ΔEN) = 3.16 – 2.55 = 0.61
This value lies between 0.4 to 1.7, which indicates that the bond between Carbon (C) and Chlorine (Cl) is polar covalent bond.
But if you look at the 3D structure of CCl4, you can see that the structure of CCl4 is symmetrical.
As both the bonds (C-Cl) are symmetrical and the CCl4 molecule has a symmetrical geometry, their bond polarity gets canceled with each other.
Hence, CCl4 is a nonpolar covalent molecule.
I hope you have understood the reason why CCl4 is a nonpolar covalent compound.
Check out other compounds to see whether they are ionic or covalent;
Is CaO Ionic or Covalent?
Is KCl (Potassium chloride) Ionic or Covalent?
Is O2 Ionic or Covalent?
Is H2S Ionic or Covalent?
Is NaBr Ionic or Covalent?
Jay is an educator and has helped more than 100,000 students in their studies by providing simple and easy explanations on different science-related topics. With a desire to make learning accessible for everyone, he founded Knords Learning, an online learning platform that provides students with easily understandable explanations.
Read more about our Editorial process.