Is CH3Cl Polar or Nonpolar?

Answer: CH3Cl is a polar molecule due to the partial negative dipole induced around the chlorine atom due to chlorine's high electronegativity (3.16) and the partial positive charges on each of the hydrogen atoms (electronegativity for hydrogen: 2.20). 

As a result chloromethane has a melting point of -97.4˚C and a boiling point of -23.8˚C. This means that the compound is a gas at standard temperature and pressure. This gas is often produced by the sugar cane industry during the burning of waste. When released it is said to have a lifespan of one to three years before decaying in the atmosphere. It also naturally occurs in marine phytoplankton and other kinds of bacteria which have an enzyme that synthesizes CH3Cl. It also also been detected as a trace gas in the interstellar space. It is described as having a "faint-sweet" odor.

CH3Cl Ball and Stick Diagram. Created with MolView.

How is CH3Cl utilized in the real world?

It was originally produced in 1835 by boiling a mixture of methanol, sulfuric acid and sodium chloride. This technique is still utilized today as chloromethane is widely utilized in reactions that produce compounds containing carbon, chlorine and silicon. It used to be within refrigerants. As a result the compound is also called Refrigerant-40. However this has been discontinued since the compound is labelled as a carcinogen with the same effects to the central nervous system as alcohol.