Multiple Choice
Which of the following best represents the correct Lewis dot structure for a neutral molecule of hypofluorous acid (HOF)?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct Lewis dot structure for the neutral compound HC2H (acetylene)?
A
H–C=C–H, with a double bond between the carbon atoms and each hydrogen atom bonded to a carbon
B
H–C≡C–H, with each carbon atom having a complete octet and each hydrogen atom having a single bond
C
H=C=C=H, with each atom connected by double bonds
D
H–C–C–H, with single bonds only between all atoms
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the total number of valence electrons in the molecule HC2H (acetylene). Hydrogen has 1 valence electron each, and carbon has 4 valence electrons each. Calculate the sum: \(2 \times 1 + 2 \times 4 = 10\) valence electrons.
Step 2: Arrange the atoms with carbon atoms in the center and hydrogen atoms at the ends, since hydrogen can only form one bond. The skeletal structure is H–C–C–H.
Step 3: Connect the atoms with single bonds initially. Each single bond represents 2 electrons. Assign electrons to bonds: 3 bonds total (H–C, C–C, C–H) use 6 electrons, leaving 4 electrons to be distributed as lone pairs or additional bonds.
Step 4: To satisfy the octet rule for carbon atoms (8 electrons around each carbon), add multiple bonds between the two carbon atoms. Since each carbon is bonded to one hydrogen, the remaining electrons form a triple bond between the carbons (one sigma and two pi bonds).
Step 5: Verify that each hydrogen has 2 electrons (a single bond) and each carbon has 8 electrons (from the single bond to hydrogen and the triple bond between carbons). This confirms the correct Lewis structure is H–C≡C–H.
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