Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound CH2F2 (difluoromethane)?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds
Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound HBF2?
A
Hydrogen is the central atom, bonded to boron and two fluorine atoms, with no lone pairs on hydrogen.
B
Fluorine is the central atom, bonded to boron and hydrogen, with three lone pairs on fluorine.
C
Boron is the central atom, bonded to two hydrogen atoms and one fluorine atom, with one lone pair on boron.
D
Boron is the central atom, bonded to one hydrogen and two fluorine atoms, with no lone pairs on boron.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the atoms present in the compound HBF2: one hydrogen (H), one boron (B), and two fluorine (F) atoms.
Determine the central atom by considering electronegativity and bonding capacity: boron is less electronegative than fluorine and hydrogen, so boron typically serves as the central atom in such compounds.
Arrange the atoms with boron in the center, bonded to one hydrogen atom and two fluorine atoms.
Count the valence electrons for each atom: hydrogen has 1, boron has 3, and each fluorine has 7, totaling 1 + 3 + (2 × 7) = 18 valence electrons.
Distribute the electrons to satisfy the octet rule where possible: place single bonds between boron and each attached atom, then assign lone pairs to fluorine atoms to complete their octets, and check that boron has no lone pairs, consistent with the given structure.
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