Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of CH3Cl (chloromethane)?
3
views
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
Struggling with General Chemistry?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
After drawing the Lewis structure of CHOCl (formyl chloride), what is the ideal bond angle around the central carbon atom?
A
180°
B
90°
C
109.5°
D
120°
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom in the molecule CHOCl, which is carbon (C), and note the atoms bonded to it: hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), and chlorine (Cl).
Draw the Lewis structure of CHOCl by arranging the atoms around carbon and distributing electrons to satisfy the octet rule for each atom, keeping in mind that carbon forms four bonds.
Determine the electron domain geometry around the central carbon atom by counting the regions of electron density (bonding pairs and lone pairs) around it. Since carbon is bonded to three atoms and has no lone pairs, there are three regions of electron density.
Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to predict the ideal bond angle based on the electron domain geometry. For three regions of electron density, the geometry is trigonal planar, which corresponds to an ideal bond angle of $120^{\circ}$.
Conclude that the ideal bond angle around the central carbon atom in CHOCl is $120^{\circ}$ due to its trigonal planar electron geometry.
5:56mWatch next
Master Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds with a bite sized video explanation from Jules
Start learningRelated Videos
Related Practice
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds practice set
Problem sets built by lead tutorsExpert video explanations