Clarification on Expanded Octets
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Clarification on Expanded Octets
Can someone expand on what having an expanded octet means? I know it has to do with utilizing the d-subshell, and therefore the bonding atom can have more than 8 valence electrons. However I'm still slightly confused about how many valence electrons each atom (with an expanded octet) can have?
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Re: Clarification on Expanded Octets
An expanded octet is when the central atom in a molecule has empty d-orbitals close in energy to the valence orbitals, and so it may be able to accommodate 10, 12, or even more electrons. Only p-block atoms in Period 3 or later periods can expand their valence shells. Atoms of these elements have empty d-orbitals in the valence shell.
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Re: Clarification on Expanded Octets
Instead of creating concentrated pairs of electrons, the atom instead spreads out its electrons over multiple orbitals in the d-subshell, creating multiple extra bonds to be used. More atoms are capable of expanded octets than those that aren't. It's the norm, not the exception. :)
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Re: Clarification on Expanded Octets
Expanded octet just means that an atom utilizes its d block to hold more than 8 electrons in the valence, which is not possible with only s and p orbitals.
The common expanded octets are P, S, Cl.
Any atom in row 3 of the periodic table (in the p block) and below, can have an expanded octet because of the utilization of the d block.
The common expanded octets are P, S, Cl.
Any atom in row 3 of the periodic table (in the p block) and below, can have an expanded octet because of the utilization of the d block.
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