Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound CH3NO2 (nitromethane)?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure for SiCl2Br2?
A
Silicon is the central atom, bonded to two chlorine atoms and two bromine atoms, with two lone pairs on silicon.
B
Silicon is the central atom, bonded to two chlorine atoms and two bromine atoms, with no lone pairs on silicon.
C
Silicon is the central atom, bonded to one chlorine atom and three bromine atoms, with one lone pair on silicon.
D
Silicon is the central atom, bonded to four chlorine atoms, with no bromine atoms present.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the central atom in the molecule SiCl2Br2. Silicon (Si) is less electronegative than chlorine (Cl) and bromine (Br), so Si will be the central atom.
Step 2: Determine the total number of valence electrons available. Silicon has 4 valence electrons, each chlorine has 7, and each bromine has 7. Calculate the sum: \(4 + 2 \times 7 + 2 \times 7\).
Step 3: Arrange the atoms around the central silicon atom. Since the formula is SiCl2Br2, place two chlorine atoms and two bromine atoms bonded to silicon.
Step 4: Draw single bonds between silicon and each of the four halogen atoms. Each bond uses 2 electrons, so subtract \(4 \times 2 = 8\) electrons from the total valence electrons.
Step 5: Distribute the remaining electrons as lone pairs to satisfy the octet rule for the chlorine and bromine atoms first. Then check if silicon has any lone pairs left. Silicon typically forms four bonds and has no lone pairs in this structure.
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