Multiple Choice
How many double bonds are present in the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound hydrogen fluoride (HF)?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
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Which of the following is the correct Lewis dot structure for SiF_4 (silicon tetrafluoride)?
A
A central Si atom with four single bonds to four F atoms, each F atom has three lone pairs, and Si has no lone pairs.
B
A central Si atom with four single bonds to four F atoms, each F atom has two lone pairs, and Si has two lone pairs.
C
A central Si atom with four single bonds to four F atoms, each F atom has one lone pair, and Si has four lone pairs.
D
A central Si atom with two double bonds to two F atoms and two single bonds to two F atoms, each F atom has two lone pairs.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the total number of valence electrons available for bonding in SiF_4. Silicon (Si) is in group 14 and has 4 valence electrons, and each fluorine (F) atom is in group 17 with 7 valence electrons. Since there are 4 fluorine atoms, calculate the total valence electrons as \$4 + 4 \times 7$.
Determine the central atom, which is typically the least electronegative element. In SiF_4, silicon is the central atom, and the four fluorine atoms will be bonded to it.
Draw single bonds between the central Si atom and each of the four F atoms. Each single bond represents 2 shared electrons, so subtract these bonding electrons from the total valence electrons to find the remaining electrons to be placed as lone pairs.
Distribute the remaining electrons as lone pairs around the fluorine atoms to complete their octets. Each fluorine atom needs 8 electrons total (including bonding electrons), so add lone pairs accordingly. Check if the silicon atom has any remaining electrons to place as lone pairs.
Verify that the silicon atom follows the octet rule (or expanded octet if applicable) and that all fluorine atoms have complete octets. The correct Lewis structure will have silicon with four single bonds and no lone pairs, and each fluorine atom with three lone pairs.
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