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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of CHCl3 (chloroform)?
A
The central carbon atom forms three single bonds with chlorine atoms and one double bond with hydrogen.
B
The central carbon atom forms four single bonds: one with hydrogen and three with chlorine atoms, with no lone pairs on carbon.
C
The central carbon atom has two lone pairs and forms two single bonds with chlorine atoms.
D
The central carbon atom forms one single bond with hydrogen, two single bonds with chlorine, and has one lone pair.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the total number of valence electrons available for bonding in CHCl3. Carbon has 4 valence electrons, hydrogen has 1, and each chlorine has 7. Sum these to find the total valence electrons.
Determine the central atom, which is carbon in this case, because it can form multiple bonds and is less electronegative than chlorine.
Draw single bonds from the central carbon atom to each of the other atoms: one bond to hydrogen and three bonds to chlorine atoms. Each single bond represents 2 shared electrons.
Distribute the remaining valence electrons as lone pairs to satisfy the octet rule for the chlorine atoms. Remember that hydrogen only needs 2 electrons to be stable.
Check the carbon atom to ensure it has a full octet (8 electrons) around it. Confirm that carbon forms four single bonds (one with hydrogen and three with chlorine) and has no lone pairs, which matches the correct Lewis structure.