Q. The $Cl _{2}$ molecules in crystalline chlorine are arranged in herringbone arrays within sheets, held together by covalent bonds. The shortest $Cl$ to $Cl$ distance within these sheets is $1.98 \mathring{A} .$ Adjacent sheets are held together by van der Waals' forces and the closest approach between $Cl$ atoms on neighboring sheets is $3.69 \mathring{A} .$ In solid $HCl$ observed at lower temperatures, the $H - Cl$ bond length is $1.25 \mathring{A}$. Therefore shortest distance between two $Cl$ atoms in solid $HCl$ is (given van der Waals' radius of $H =1.1 \mathring{A}$ ):
Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
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