Why is chloroform polar?

Answer 1

polar molecules are water soluble , non-polar molecules are fat soluble . Chloroform (as are most anesthetics) is more soluble in fats (the cell membrane) than in water (ie.blood).

Thus it is classified as non-polar notwithstanding the data below.

Chloroform is a polar molecule. The 3 chlorine atoms are considerably more electronegative than the hydrogen atom, so the molecule has a net dipole moment.

Answer 2

Chloroform is polar due to the electronegativity difference between carbon and chlorine, causing a permanent dipole moment and making it a polar molecule. The asymmetrical distribution of electrons leads to a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atom and a partial negative charge on the chlorine atom, creating a polar covalent bond.