QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Which of the following statements is true for the Lewis structure of ClF^3 in which the formal charges are minimized?
A. The central atom has an expanded octet.
B. The octet rule is obeyed by the central atom.
C. The central atom has an incomplete octet.
D. The central atom has 2 lone pairs.
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Answer
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Step 1:Let's solve this step by step:
Step 2:: Determine the total number of valence electrons
• Chlorine (Cl) has 7 valence electrons • Fluorine (F) has 7 valence electrons • Total valence electrons = 7 + (3 × 7) = 28 electrons
Step 3:: Draw the initial Lewis structure
• Chlorine will be the central atom • Connect three fluorine atoms to chlorine • Distribute remaining electrons as lone pairs to minimize formal charge
Step 4:: Calculate formal charges
The formal charge formula is: $$\text{Formal Charge} = \text{Valence electrons} - \text{Lone pair electrons} - \frac{1}{2}(\text{Bonding electrons})
Step 5:: Analyze the structure
• The central chlorine atom will have more than 8 electrons • This means an expanded octet is present • Chlorine can accommodate more than 8 electrons due to available d-orbitals
Step 6:: Evaluate the statements
• The central atom has an expanded octet ✓ • The octet rule is NOT obeyed ✗ • The central atom does NOT have an incomplete octet ✗ • The central atom has 3 lone pairs, not 2 ✗
Final Answer
The central atom has an expanded octet.
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