Why is BCl3 non-polar?

Question

I would like to understand why BCl3 is considered a non-polar molecule. I'm a bit confused because my textbook states that a molecule is non-polar if it is symmetrical, even if it contains polar covalent bonds. Could someone explain how and why BCl3 is non-polar? I initially thought it should be polar since it has three chlorine atoms directed in different directions, which doesn’t seem to be canceled out. Thank you!

Wyatt Kilback · Accepted Answer

Think of the Cl atoms as charges in space.
The 'centre of charge' of the three Cl atoms will be at the centre of the triangle.
But! There is a Boron atom at the centre of this triangle.
And the B atom has a charge opposite and equal to the (sum of charges of the Cl atoms)
The 'centre of charge' of the B atom coincides with that of the Cl atoms and we have a cancellation here.
No dipoles! 
(A dipole exist is polar molecules where there are two 'centres of charge' one for the positive and the other for the negative.

Anonymous · Answer

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Why is BCl3 non-polar?
I wanted to know why is BCl3 is a non-polar molecule. I am a bit confused because my textbook says a molecule which is symmetrical will be non-polar even if it has polar covalent bonds. Can anyone describe to me how and why BCl3 is non-polar as for me it should be polar as it has 3 Cl pointing in...

Anonymous · Answer

The BCl3 molecule is known to be trigonal planar. That means the angle between each of the bonds is 120. The reason why this is nonpolar is easiest seen with vectors. If I start at one end of a Cl bond, and then imagine adding the other two bonds as vectors, tip to tail, they will all line up into a triangle, so if you start at any point on the triangle, you will reach back to the baginning. As a result, the charge doesn't act in any particular direction, and so the molecule is non-polar. It's quite tricky to explain - sorry - hope that helps!

Anonymous · Answer

It is true that the bonds are polar covalent, but  you need to look at the entire molecule. If you were able to appoach the molecule from outside the molecule you would meet the same negative charge from the chlorine at every direction you approached. The molecule is non polar because the positive charge is inside the moecule, the molecule has the same charge all aound the outside

Adella Ryan · Answer

bcl3 polar

Anonymous · Answer

For zero dipolemoment it is to exist as a dimer with center of symmetry

Anonymous · Answer

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trigonal planar, 120 degree bond angles nonpolar

Camilla Pagac IV

Why is BCl3 non-polar?

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