Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the BrCl_4^- ion?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Ions
Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the SnCl2 molecule?
A
Sn is the central atom, bonded to three Cl atoms, with one lone pair on Sn.
B
Sn is the central atom, bonded to two Cl atoms, with no lone pairs on Sn.
C
Sn is the central atom, bonded to two Cl atoms, with one lone pair on Sn.
D
Sn is the central atom, bonded to two Cl atoms, with two lone pairs on Sn.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the central atom in SnCl2. Since tin (Sn) is less electronegative than chlorine (Cl), Sn will be the central atom.
Step 2: Determine the total number of valence electrons. Sn is in group 14, so it has 4 valence electrons, and each Cl atom (group 17) has 7 valence electrons. Total valence electrons = 4 + 2 × 7 = 18 electrons.
Step 3: Draw single bonds between Sn and each Cl atom. Each bond uses 2 electrons, so 2 bonds use 4 electrons, leaving 14 electrons to be distributed as lone pairs.
Step 4: Distribute the remaining electrons to satisfy the octet rule for the Cl atoms first. Each Cl needs 6 more electrons (3 lone pairs) to complete its octet, using 12 electrons total.
Step 5: Assign the remaining electrons to the central Sn atom as lone pairs. After bonding and filling Cl octets, Sn will have 1 lone pair left, which explains the correct Lewis structure: Sn bonded to two Cl atoms with one lone pair on Sn.
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