Question:

Among the following compounds, which one has the shortest C - Cl bond?

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A C-Cl bond on an sp2 carbon whose Cl lone pair is conjugated with the C=C (vinyl chloride) has partial double-bond character and is the shortest.
Updated On: Nov 5, 2026
  • \(\mathrm{H_3C-Cl}\)
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Options: (1) methyl chloride, C(sp3)-Cl; (2) tert-butyl chloride, C(sp3)-Cl; (3) allyl chloride \(\mathrm{CH_2=CH-CH_2-Cl}\), C(sp3)-Cl; (4) vinyl chloride \(\mathrm{CH_2=CH-Cl}\), C(sp2)-Cl.
An sp2 carbon has more s-character (33%) than sp3 (25%), so its bond to Cl is shorter.
In vinyl chloride the lone pair on Cl is delocalised into the C=C (\(\mathrm{CH_2=CH-\ddot{Cl} \leftrightarrow {}^-CH_2-CH=Cl^+}\)), giving the C-Cl bond partial double-bond character.
Hence the shortest C-Cl bond is in vinyl chloride (about 1.72 A against about 1.78 A in alkyl chlorides).
Answer: (4) \(\mathrm{CH_2=CH-Cl}\)
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