Homework 2B.3 d

[Hannah_1G]

How do you figure out the lewis structure of BrF3 when they share 24 valence electrons?

[Justin Vayakone 1C]

BrF3 has 28 electrons. This molecule is one of the exceptions to the octet rule. Br can have an expanded octet. Br will be the central atom with single bonds to each F and 2 lone pairs to itself.

[Claire Lo 3C]

First of all, BrF3 has a total of 28 valence electrons, instead of 24.
Br has a lower ionization energy than F, so Br is the central atom.

Each F-Br bond constitutes to 2 electrons, so that's a total of 6, and you still need to assign the rest of the 22 valence electrons.

Put 4 electrons on Br so that its formal charge is 0. That leaves you 18 electrons.

Split the rest evenly among the 3 Br atoms