Why is the H bonded to an O atom and not the central Cl atom in this Lewis structure?
Textbook Problem 2C.3
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Re: Textbook Problem 2C.3
It has to do with the chemical formula and composition. In this example, the H connects to the O for some reason, maybe it was already in a molecule with it and two molecules joined or because it is forming a Hydrogen bond, but it does not always have to bond with the central atom.
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Re: Textbook Problem 2C.3
OwenSumter_3D wrote:It has to do with the chemical formula and composition. In this example, the H connects to the O for some reason, maybe it was already in a molecule with it and two molecules joined or because it is forming a Hydrogen bond, but it does not always have to bond with the central atom.
Do you think it would be considered inaccurate if we drew the hydrogen connected to the central atom?
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Re: Textbook Problem 2C.3
You would have to find the formal charge to see what has the lowest formal charge, which is what you want.
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