Is Biphenyl Polar or Nonpolar?

According to UC Davis, biphenyl is a nonpolar molecule with only carbon-hydrogen and carbon-carbon bonds. Biphenyl cannot dissolve in water. Through nonpolar van der Waals interactions, biphenyl can bond to itself; however, it cannot form significant interactions with very polar solvent molecules.

In regards to breaking up biphenyl to biphenyl interactions, the energetic cost is high, and not much is gained with new biphenyl-water interactions. Hydrocarbon molecules, such as biphenyl, are hydrophobic, meaning water is not a good solvent for them, according to UC Davis. Biphenyl forms colorless crystals and is classified as an organic compound. The molecular formula for Biphenyl is (C6H5)2, and it is an aromatic hydrocarbon.