Central Atom

[DArcy Perlman 1C]

Why is it that the atom with the lowest ionization energy/electronegativity placed as the center atom in Lewis structures?

[Allison Peng 1D]

Since the central atom usually has the most bonds, ideally it is the one with the lowest ionization energy since that would mean it shares its own electrons more easily. An atom with high electronegativity/ionization energy would hold on the electrons pretty tightly so it would be unlikely to form many bonds (for example, fluorine, which is the highest first ionization energy, does not form more than one bond).

[Holly Do 2J]

Adding onto the answer above, the atom with a high electronegativity would want it's own electrons due the it's high electronegativity and thus would not have many bonds too it.

[Anish_Marripati_2F]

It's because all the more electronegative atoms are bonded to the least electronegative atom, and not between themselves.

[205686400]

Hi! If an atom has a lower ionization energy/electronegativity it means that it has a weak electron affinity and because it can't take away electrons from more electronegative atoms such as Fluorine or Oxygen, it can only make bonds.

[Tony Chen 1F]

Atoms with lower electronegativity (i.e. less likely to take electrons from other atoms) is more likely going to form bonds

[Amine Adlouni 1L]

Atoms with high electronegativity hold on to their electrons tightly. A central atom must be able to share many of its electrons such that it can form numerous covalent bonds. As such, the central atom in a molecule is usually the one with the least electronegativity.

[Edriana J Altea 2G]

I agree with what everyone is saying. The central atom usually has the lowest electronegativity because then it can hold more from the surrounding atoms.

[Jessica Servoss 1H]

Elements that are less electronegative are placed as the central atom in lewis structures due to this atom being more willing to share it's electrons and create more bonds with the attaching atoms.

[Jessica Sun 2I]

atoms that have lower electronegativity will have less electron pulling power and is more likely to form bonds with surrounding atoms to share electrons than to pull them away

[Carlie_Dorostkar_1A]

The atom with lower ionization energy doesn't hold onto its electrons as tightly so it is able to make bonds more easily and share electrons in the outer shell.

[Harbaksh Kaur 3E]

It would be easier for an atom with lower electronegativity to be in the center because it is more likely to make bonds compared to atoms with high electronegativity which do not want to share their electrons.

[505784197]

Lower ionization energy means not as much energy compared to other atoms is required to remove an electron. Therefore, the central atom can form more bonds.

[Kelly_Luong_1F]

Atoms with a lower electronegativity are more likely to form bonds and are usually the central atom.

[405566265]

remember that this rule doesn't apply to hydrogen! its never in the center

[JafarriNocentelli 1G]

Because the least electronegative atom is better at forming bonds as it doesnt want to pull all the electrons towards itself

[205686400]

Atoms with a higher electronegativity cannot give off their electrons so the central atom (the one with the lower ionization) must share its electrons to form covalent bonds.