Ch.24 - The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry

Problem 57a1

Chapter 24, Problem 57a1

(a) Draw Lewis structures for chloromethane 1CH3Cl2, chloroethene 1C2H3Cl2, and chloroethyne 1C2HCl2. Draw Lewis structures for chloromethane 1CH3Cl2.

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the total number of valence electrons for each molecule. For chloromethane (CH3Cl), carbon has 4 valence electrons, each hydrogen has 1, and chlorine has 7. Add these to get the total valence electrons.

Arrange the atoms with the least electronegative atom in the center (except hydrogen, which is always on the outside). For chloromethane, carbon is the central atom.

Draw single bonds between the central atom and surrounding atoms. In chloromethane, draw single bonds from carbon to each hydrogen and to the chlorine.

Complete the octets of the surrounding atoms first (hydrogen and chlorine in this case) by adding lone pairs. Hydrogen needs no lone pairs as it is stable with 2 electrons. Add lone pairs to chlorine to complete its octet.

Check the central atom (carbon in this case) to see if it has a complete octet. If not, adjust by adding lone pairs or creating double/triple bonds as necessary. For chloromethane, carbon will have a complete octet with the single bonds already drawn.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.

Video duration:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

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

Lewis Structures

Lewis structures are diagrams that represent the bonding between atoms in a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist. They use dots to represent electrons and lines to represent bonds between atoms. Understanding how to draw Lewis structures is essential for visualizing molecular geometry and predicting the reactivity of compounds.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom and are crucial in determining how atoms bond with each other. The number of valence electrons influences the formation of bonds and the overall structure of a molecule. For example, carbon has four valence electrons, which allows it to form four bonds, while chlorine has seven, allowing it to form one bond.

Molecular Geometry

Molecular geometry refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule. It is influenced by the number of bonds and lone pairs around the central atom, which can affect the molecule's physical and chemical properties. Understanding molecular geometry is important for predicting the behavior of molecules in reactions and their interactions with other substances.

Recommended video:

Guided course

01:33

Molecular Geometry with Two Electron Groups

Related Practice

Textbook Question

Write a balanced chemical equation using condensed structural formulas for the saponification (base hydrolysis) of

b. phenyl acetate.

Textbook Question

Write a balanced chemical equation using condensed structural formulas for

a. the formation of butyl propionate from the appropriate acid and alcohol

Textbook Question

Write a balanced chemical equation using condensed structural formulas for

b. the saponification (base hydrolysis) of methyl benzoate.

Textbook Question

(a) Draw Lewis structures for chloromethane 1CH3Cl2, chloroethene 1C2H3Cl2, and chloroethyne 1C2HCl2. Draw Lewis structures for chloroethene 1C2H3Cl2.

views

Textbook Question

(a) Draw Lewis structures for chloromethane 1CH3Cl2, chloroethene 1C2H3Cl2, and chloroethyne 1C2HCl2. Draw Lewis structures for chloroethyne 1C2HCl2.

views

Textbook Question

(c) Write a structural formula for 1-pentanol, the alcohol derived from pentane by making a substitution on one of the carbon atoms.