QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
What is the correct Lewis structure for chloroform, CHCl^3?
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this problem step by step, focusing on drawing the Lewis structure for chloroform (CHCl3).
Step 2:: Determine the total number of valence electrons
- Total valence electrons: $$4 + 1 + (7 \times 3) = 4 + 1 + 21 = 26$$ electrons
- Carbon (C): 4 valence electrons - Hydrogen (H): 1 valence electron - Chlorine (Cl): 7 valence electrons
Step 3:: Arrange atoms in the structure
- Place carbon at the center - Attach three chlorine atoms and one hydrogen atom to the carbon
Step 4:: Connect atoms with single bonds
- This uses $$4 \times 1 = 4$$ electrons
- Draw single bonds between carbon and each surrounding atom
Step 5:: Distribute remaining electrons as lone pairs
- $$22 \div 3 = 7$$ lone pairs per chlorine, with 1 electron remaining
- Place 3 lone pairs on each chlorine atom
Step 6:: Final Lewis structure
- Carbon has 4 single bonds - Each chlorine has 3 lone pairs - Hydrogen has no lone pairs - The single remaining electron can be placed as an additional lone pair on one chlorine
Final Answer
The Lewis structure shows carbon at the center, single-bonded to one hydrogen and three chlorine atoms, with three lone pairs on each chlorine atom. [A detailed Lewis structure drawing would typically accompany this description, showing the central carbon, single bonds to H and Cl, and lone pairs on the chlorine atoms.]
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