Step 1: Find valence e- for all atoms. Add them together.
Cl:7
F:7x3=21
Total=28
Step2: Find octet e- for each atom and add them together.
Cl:10*
F:8x3=24
Total=34
Chlorine gets 10 electrons in order to make 3 bonds with surrounding atoms.
Step3: Gives you bonding e-. Subtract step 1 total from step 2
34-28=6e-
Step 4: Find number of bonds by diving the number in step 3 by 2(because each bond is made of 2 e-)
6e-/2= 3 bond pairs
Step 5: Find the number of nonbonding (lone pairs) e-. Subtract step 3 number from step 1.
28-6= 22e-=11 lone pairs
Use information from step 4 and 5 to draw the lewis structure.
Lewis dot structure of ClF3
Alternatively a dot method can be used to draw the lewis structure.
Calculate the total valence electrons in the molecule.
Cl:7
F:7x3=21
Total=28
Put Clorine in center and arrange fluorines on the sides.Fulfil octet for oxygen atoms and put remaining electrons on central atoms.
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