Debye interactions require polar molecules to show polar-nonpolar type of intermolecular attractive interactions. Therefore, the polar atoms participating in Debye interactions must have comparatively high electronegativity to show stronger interactions. If the electronegativity difference (0.5-1.7) is greater in a polar molecule, the polarity it induces on the neighboring non-polar atom will also be more significant, leading to stronger Debye interactions. So, the heteroatoms like Chlorine, Oxygen, and Fluorine with high electronegativity values elicit the highest polar-nonpolar type of Debye interactions.
Notably, the Debye Forces make up less than 10% of the Vander Waals interactions.
The above excerpt supports the chapter Intermolecular Forces part of CurlyArrows' Introductory Organic Chemistry Course. Preview the Book.
Related Reading- Debye Forces
