Central Atom [ENDORSED]

[Frenz Cabison 1B]

How do we know which atom would be the central atom in a polyatomic molecule?

[Michael Koger 3K]

The atom that requires the most electrons to fill its octet is usually the central atom. For example, carbon needs four more electrons to fill its octet, so it is often the central atom. This need for electrons is what allows carbon to form four bonds.
I hope this helped!

[Kaylin Krahn 1I]

The atom with the least electronegativity or the lowest ionization energy tends to be the central atom.

[Sophia Kim 1C]

Usually the least electronegative atom goes in the center. This is because most times if an atom has low electronegativity than it is more likely to share electrons and form bonds.