Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the correct Lewis structure for (methanol)?
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1. A Review of General Chemistry
Lewis Structure
Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the correct Lewis structure for ?
A
Oxygen is the central atom, bonded to selenium and two fluorine atoms, with all single bonds; selenium has two lone pairs, oxygen has one lone pair, and each fluorine has three lone pairs.
B
Selenium is the central atom, bonded to one oxygen atom with a triple bond and to two fluorine atoms with single bonds; selenium has no lone pairs, oxygen has one lone pair, and each fluorine has three lone pairs.
C
Selenium is the central atom, bonded to one oxygen atom with a single bond and to two fluorine atoms with double bonds; selenium has two lone pairs, oxygen has three lone pairs, and each fluorine has two lone pairs.
D
Selenium is the central atom, bonded to one oxygen atom with a double bond and to two fluorine atoms with single bonds; selenium has one lone pair, oxygen has two lone pairs, and each fluorine has three lone pairs.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom by considering electronegativity and bonding capacity. Selenium (Se) is less electronegative than oxygen (O) and fluorine (F), so Se is typically the central atom in SeOF2.
Determine the total number of valence electrons: Se has 6, O has 6, and each F has 7. Calculate total valence electrons as \(6 + 6 + 2 \times 7 = 26\) electrons.
Draw single bonds from Se to O and from Se to each F atom, using 2 electrons per bond. This accounts for \(3 \times 2 = 6\) electrons, leaving \$26 - 6 = 20$ electrons to distribute as lone pairs.
Distribute the remaining electrons to satisfy the octet rule: place lone pairs on fluorine atoms first (each F needs 3 lone pairs), then on oxygen, and finally assign any leftover electrons as lone pairs on selenium.
Adjust bonding if necessary to satisfy the octet rule and minimize formal charges: form a double bond between Se and O if needed, resulting in Se bonded to O with a double bond and to two F atoms with single bonds; assign one lone pair to Se, two lone pairs to O, and three lone pairs to each F.
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