Table of contents

1. Intro to General Chemistry3h 48m
2. Atoms & Elements4h 16m
3. Chemical Reactions4h 10m
4. BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
5. BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions48m
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions3h 53m
7. Gases3h 49m
8. Thermochemistry2h 37m
9. Quantum Mechanics2h 58m
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements3h 9m
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure3h 29m
12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory1h 57m
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces2h 23m
14. Solutions3h 1m
15. Chemical Kinetics2h 53m
16. Chemical Equilibrium2h 29m
17. Acid and Base Equilibrium5h 1m
18. Aqueous Equilibrium4h 47m
19. Chemical Thermodynamics1h 50m
20. Electrochemistry2h 42m
21. Nuclear Chemistry2h 36m
22. Organic Chemistry5h 7m
23. Chemistry of the Nonmetals2h 39m
24. Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds3h 16m

11. Bonding & Molecular Structure

Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds

General Chemistry

11. Bonding & Molecular Structure

Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds

Previous problemNext problem

Struggling with General Chemistry?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the Lewis dot structure for the neutral compound CCl4?

A central carbon atom single-bonded to four chlorine atoms, with each chlorine atom having three lone pairs.

A central carbon atom single-bonded to four chlorine atoms, with each chlorine atom having two lone pairs.

A central carbon atom double-bonded to two chlorine atoms and single-bonded to two chlorine atoms, with each chlorine atom having two lone pairs.

A central carbon atom triple-bonded to one chlorine atom and single-bonded to three chlorine atoms, with each chlorine atom having three lone pairs.

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the central atom in the molecule CCl4. Carbon (C) is less electronegative than chlorine (Cl), so carbon will be the central atom.

Determine the total number of valence electrons available. Carbon has 4 valence electrons, and each chlorine atom has 7 valence electrons. Since there are 4 chlorine atoms, total valence electrons = 4 + (4 × 7) = 32 electrons.

Draw single bonds between the central carbon atom and each of the four chlorine atoms. Each single bond consists of 2 electrons, so 4 bonds use 8 electrons.

Distribute the remaining electrons as lone pairs on the chlorine atoms to complete their octets. Each chlorine needs 8 electrons total (including bonding electrons), so after the single bond, each chlorine will have 6 electrons as lone pairs (3 lone pairs per chlorine).

Check the carbon atom's octet. Carbon shares 4 pairs of bonding electrons (8 electrons total) with the chlorines, satisfying the octet rule. Thus, the Lewis structure is a central carbon atom single-bonded to four chlorine atoms, each chlorine having three lone pairs.