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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound ClO$^-$?
A
Chlorine is bonded to oxygen with a single bond, and the structure has three lone pairs on chlorine and three lone pairs on oxygen, with one extra electron giving a negative charge.
B
Chlorine is bonded to oxygen with a triple bond, and the structure has one lone pair on each atom.
C
Chlorine and oxygen are not bonded; each atom has a full octet and no formal charge.
D
Chlorine is bonded to oxygen with a double bond, and both atoms have two lone pairs, with no extra electrons.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the atoms involved: chlorine (Cl) and oxygen (O), and note the overall charge of the ion is -1, indicating one extra electron in the system.
Determine the total number of valence electrons: chlorine has 7 valence electrons, oxygen has 6, and add 1 extra electron for the negative charge, giving a total of 7 + 6 + 1 = 14 valence electrons.
Draw a single bond between chlorine and oxygen, which uses 2 electrons, then distribute the remaining electrons as lone pairs to satisfy the octet rule for both atoms.
Assign lone pairs so that chlorine has three lone pairs (6 electrons) and oxygen has three lone pairs (6 electrons), ensuring both atoms have a full octet (8 electrons each including bonding electrons).
Check the formal charges: chlorine and oxygen should have formal charges that sum to -1, consistent with the extra electron, confirming the structure with a single bond, three lone pairs on each atom, and an overall negative charge.