In which molecule does the chlorine have the most positive partial charge?

Options

A. HCl
B. BrCl
C. `Ocl_(2)`
D. `SCl_(2)`

Explanation

To determine in which molecule chlorine has the most positive partial charge, we need to analyze the electronegativity of chlorine in relation to the other atoms present in each molecule. Here are the steps to solve the question:

### Step 1: Identify the electronegativity of chlorine
Chlorine (Cl) is a halogen and is known to be quite electronegative. Its electronegativity value is approximately 3.16 on the Pauling scale.

### Step 2: Compare the electronegativity of chlorine with other atoms in the given molecules
We need to analyze the electronegativity of the other atoms in the given molecules to see which one is more electronegative than chlorine.

1. **HCl (Hydrochloric acid)**:
- Hydrogen (H) has an electronegativity of about 2.20.
- Since H < Cl, chlorine will have a negative partial charge.

2. **BrCl (Bromine monochloride)**:
- Bromine (Br) has an electronegativity of about 2.96.
- Since Br < Cl, chlorine will have a negative partial charge.

3. **OCl2 (Oxygen dichloride)**:
- Oxygen (O) has an electronegativity of about 3.44.
- Since O > Cl, chlorine will have a positive partial charge.

4. **HCl2 (Dichlorosilane)**:
- Sulfur (S) has an electronegativity of about 2.58.
- Since S < Cl, chlorine will have a negative partial charge.

### Step 3: Determine the partial charges in each molecule
From the analysis:
- In **HCl**, Cl has a negative charge.
- In **BrCl**, Cl has a negative charge.
- In **OCl2**, Cl has a positive charge.
- In **HCl2**, Cl has a negative charge.

### Step 4: Compare the partial charges
Among the four molecules, **OCl2** is the only molecule where chlorine has a positive partial charge due to the higher electronegativity of oxygen compared to chlorine.

### Final Answer
Thus, chlorine has the most positive partial charge in **OCl2**.

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