Among H2S,H2O,NF3,NH3 and CHCl3, identify the molecule (X) with lowest dipole moment value. The number of lone pairs of electrons present on the central atom of the molecule (X) is :
(A)2
(B)0
(C)1✓ Correct
(D)3
Answer: (C)
Solution
Comparing the dipole moments, H2O (1.85 D), NH3 (1.47 D), CHCl3 (∼1.0 D) and H2S (∼0.95 D) are all appreciable, whereas in NF3 the resultant of the three polar N−F bond dipoles opposes the dipole of the nitrogen lone pair, leaving a very small net moment (0.23 D). Hence the molecule X of lowest dipole moment is NF3, a pyramidal molecule in which the central nitrogen uses three bond pairs and keeps one lone pair. The number of lone pairs on the central atom is 1.
JEE Main · 2026 · 22 Jan 2026 · Shift 2 · Single correct option