Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound CCl2F2 (dichlorodifluoromethane)?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the Lewis dot structure for the neutral compound PF3?
A
Phosphorus is at the center with three double bonds to fluorine atoms, and no lone pairs on phosphorus.
B
Phosphorus is at the center with three single bonds to fluorine atoms, and three lone pairs on phosphorus.
C
Phosphorus is at the center with three single bonds to fluorine atoms, and one lone pair on phosphorus.
D
Phosphorus is at the center with three single bonds to fluorine atoms, and no lone pairs on phosphorus.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Determine the total number of valence electrons for the PF3 molecule. Phosphorus (P) is in group 15 and has 5 valence electrons, and each fluorine (F) atom is in group 17 with 7 valence electrons. Since there are three fluorine atoms, calculate the total valence electrons as: \(5 + 3 \times 7\).
Step 2: Place phosphorus as the central atom because it is less electronegative than fluorine, and arrange the three fluorine atoms around it.
Step 3: Form single bonds between the phosphorus atom and each fluorine atom. Each single bond consists of 2 electrons, so subtract the electrons used in bonding from the total valence electrons.
Step 4: Distribute the remaining electrons to complete the octets of the fluorine atoms first, since fluorine atoms typically have three lone pairs to complete their octet.
Step 5: Assign any leftover electrons to the phosphorus atom as lone pairs. Check that phosphorus has a complete octet (8 electrons) by counting bonding and lone pair electrons around it.
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