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Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding
All textbooksBrown 14th EditionCh.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical BondingProblem 65b
Chapter 8, Problem 65b

In the vapor phase, BeCl2 exists as a discrete molecule. (b) What other resonance structures are possible that satisfy the octet rule?

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Identify the central atom in the BeCl2 molecule, which is beryllium (Be). Beryllium typically forms two bonds and does not follow the octet rule due to its electron deficiency.
Draw the Lewis structure for BeCl2. Beryllium will form single bonds with each chlorine atom, resulting in a linear structure: Cl-Be-Cl.
Consider the possibility of resonance structures. Resonance structures are different ways of arranging electrons in a molecule that cannot be represented by a single Lewis structure.
Evaluate the potential for resonance in BeCl2. Since beryllium does not have a complete octet and chlorine atoms are more electronegative, they will not share additional electrons to form double bonds with beryllium.
Conclude that BeCl2 does not have resonance structures that satisfy the octet rule because beryllium cannot expand its valence shell to accommodate more than four electrons, and chlorine atoms will not form double bonds with beryllium.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Resonance Structures

Resonance structures are different ways of drawing the same molecule that illustrate the delocalization of electrons. They are used to represent molecules where a single Lewis structure cannot adequately depict the electron distribution. In the case of BeCl2, resonance structures can help visualize how the electrons are shared among the chlorine atoms and the beryllium atom, contributing to a more accurate depiction of the molecule's bonding.
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Octet Rule

The octet rule is a chemical guideline stating that atoms tend to bond in such a way that they each have eight electrons in their valence shell, achieving a stable electron configuration similar to that of noble gases. This rule is particularly relevant for main group elements and helps predict the bonding behavior of atoms in molecules. In the context of BeCl2, understanding the octet rule is essential for determining the possible resonance structures that satisfy this requirement.
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Molecular Geometry

Molecular geometry refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule. It is influenced by the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons around the central atom, which can affect the molecule's stability and reactivity. For BeCl2, recognizing its linear geometry helps in visualizing how resonance structures can be formed while still adhering to the octet rule and maintaining the overall molecular shape.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Draw the Lewis structures for each of the following molecules or ions. Identify instances where the octet rule is not obeyed; state which atom in each compound does not follow the octet rule; and state how many electrons surround these atoms: (a) PF6-, (b) BeCl2, (c) NH3, (d) XeF2O (the Xe is the central atom), (e) SO42- .

Textbook Question

In the vapor phase, BeCl2 exists as a discrete molecule. (a) Draw the Lewis structure of this molecule, using only single bonds. Does this Lewis structure satisfy the octet rule?

Textbook Question

In the vapor phase, BeCl2 exists as a discrete molecule. (c) On the basis of the formal charges, which Lewis structure is expected to be dominant for BeCl2?

Textbook Question

(a) Describe the molecule xenon trioxide, XeO3, using four possible Lewis structures, one each with zero, one, two, or three Xe¬O double bonds. (b) Do any of these resonance structures satisfy the octet rule for every atom in the molecule? (c) Do any of the four Lewis structures have multiple resonance structures? If so, how many resonance structures do you find? (d) Which of the Lewis structures in part (a) yields the most favorable formal charges for the molecule?

Textbook Question

There are many Lewis structures you could draw for sulfuric acid, H2SO4 (each H is bonded to an O). (a) What Lewis structure(s) would you draw to satisfy the octet rule?