CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

Is there a reason why the lewis structure for XeF_2 is drawn vertically rather than horizontally?

Not really, it's just that usually molecules with 5 regions of electron density (trigonal bipyramidal shape) are drawn that way. XeF2 has the same number of regions of electron density, but it has 3 lone pairs. So the result is a bond angle of around 180 degrees.

I do not think there is a reason. When drawing the Lewis structure, the same bond can be drawn in various ways (the bond angle does not matter). I think this is because Lewis structure is 2-D while the molecule is 3-D, therefore, there has to be some kind of distortion when trying to reflect the real structure of the molecules.

I think you can still draw the structure horizontally it doesn't really matter. as long as you represent the bond angle is roughly 180 degree I think it works either way you draw it.

Nan_Guan_1L wrote:I think you can still draw the structure horizontally it doesn't really matter. as long as you represent the bond angle is roughly 180 degree I think it works either way you draw it.

I don't think you need to consider the bond angle when drawing a lewis structure.