Which element at center of the structure

[405398682]

How do I know which element is the center besides Carbon?

[KarineKim2L]

I believe the least electronegative element goes in the middle.

[katrinawong3d]

The most electronegative element goes in the middle.

[Alison Trinh 1E]

The element with the lowest ionization energy or the element with the least electronegativity is the central atom.

[504939134]

The element with the lowest ionization energy will always be in the middle, but hydrogen will never be in the middle. Just look at your periodic table and remember that the ionization energy increases as you go across the periodic table (left to right)

[Sean Tran 2K]

The least electronegative atom is placed in the center of the electron structures, with the exception of Hydrogen, which will never be in the center.

[Julie_Reyes1B]

Hi!
There are two main factors that can help you guess which element is in the center of a structure.
a. Symmetry- Most compounds tend to be as symmetrical as possible. For a compound such as CH₄, C would be the central atom rather than any of the four H atoms.
b. Electronegativity- The element with the least electronegativity tends to be in the center. Electronegativity is basically of an atom's ability to pull in electrons. Central atoms usually have to share most of their electrons, while peripheral atoms can hold on to their electrons more tightly as lone pairs. Thus, highly electronegative elements are usually not the central atoms.
Hope this helps!