how to draw the Lewis structure for a chloride monobromide ClBr molecule.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Lewis Structure for ClBr (Chlorine Monobromide):
The Lewis structure of ClBr consists of a single covalent bond between the chlorine (Cl) and bromine (Br) atoms, with each atom having three lone pairs of electrons.
Lewis Structure:
.. ..
:Cl — Br:
.. ..
Each dot represents a valence electron. The line between Cl and Br represents a shared pair of electrons (a single covalent bond).
Explanation (Approximately 300 words):
To draw the Lewis structure of ClBr (chlorine monobromide), follow these steps:
1. Determine the total number of valence electrons.
Chlorine (Cl) is in Group 17 of the periodic table and has 7 valence electrons.
Bromine (Br) is also in Group 17 and has 7 valence electrons.
So the total number of valence electrons is: 7 (from Cl)+7 (from Br)=14 valence electrons7\ (\text{from Cl}) + 7\ (\text{from Br}) = 14\ \text{valence electrons}
2. Choose the central atom.
Since Cl and Br are both halogens with similar electronegativities, either can be central, but because this is a diatomic molecule, there is no central atom. They simply bond to each other.
3. Form a single bond.
Place a single covalent bond (a pair of shared electrons) between Cl and Br. This uses up 2 of the 14 valence electrons. 14−2=12 electrons remaining14 – 2 = 12\ \text{electrons remaining}
4. Distribute the remaining electrons as lone pairs.
Distribute the remaining 12 electrons as lone pairs, placing 3 lone pairs (6 electrons) on each atom. This satisfies the octet rule for both atoms:
- Cl has 2 electrons in the bond + 6 in lone pairs = 8 electrons.
- Br has 2 electrons in the bond + 6 in lone pairs = 8 electrons.
5. Check formal charges (optional).
In this case, both atoms have a formal charge of zero, making the structure stable.
In conclusion, ClBr is a simple diatomic molecule with a single bond between the two atoms and each atom having three lone pairs. The structure satisfies the octet rule and is electrically neutral.