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4.19 b)
Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 10:47 pm
by Andrew Nguyen 2I
This is more of a Lewis structure question however I was wondering why Sn-Cl2 only has 6 valence electrons around it in the molecule; obviously this is an exception to the octet rule, though I was wondering if anyone could explain this.
Re: 4.19 b)
Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2017 9:22 am
by Joshua Xian 1D
I believe it's because the formal charges are better (closer to 0) if the Sn in SnCl2 has only one lone pair and two single bonds to each Cl2. The formal charges would all be 0, vs. having 2 lone pairs of electrons and the Sn having a -2 formal charge.
Re: 4.19 b)
Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 12:37 pm
by Jessica Nunez 1I
Sn-Cl2 only has 6 valence electrons because the formal charge of the structure would be 0, and that is the ultimate goal when drawing Lewis dot structures.