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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound SCl_4?
A
Sulfur is the central atom, surrounded by two single bonds and two double bonds to chlorine atoms.
B
Sulfur is the central atom, surrounded by four double bonds to chlorine atoms and no lone pairs.
C
Sulfur is the central atom, surrounded by four single bonds to chlorine atoms and one lone pair.
D
Sulfur is the central atom, surrounded by four single bonds to chlorine atoms and no lone pairs.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Identify the total number of valence electrons in the molecule SCl_4. Sulfur (S) is in group 16 and has 6 valence electrons, and each chlorine (Cl) atom is in group 17 with 7 valence electrons. Multiply the number of chlorine atoms by 7 and add sulfur's 6 electrons to get the total.
Step 2: Determine the central atom. Sulfur is less electronegative than chlorine, so sulfur will be the central atom with four chlorine atoms bonded to it.
Step 3: Draw single bonds between sulfur and each chlorine atom. Each single bond represents 2 electrons shared between atoms. Subtract these bonding electrons from the total valence electrons to find the remaining electrons.
Step 4: Distribute the remaining electrons as lone pairs to satisfy the octet rule for the chlorine atoms first, since chlorine atoms typically complete their octet with three lone pairs each.
Step 5: Check the number of electrons around sulfur. Since sulfur is in period 3, it can have an expanded octet. After placing bonding pairs and lone pairs on chlorine, assign any leftover electrons as lone pairs on sulfur. This will help determine if sulfur has any lone pairs and confirm the correct Lewis structure.