Representing larger molecules
Moderators: Chem_Mod, Chem_Admin
-
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:17 am
Representing larger molecules
How should we draw Lewis structures/determine molecular shape for molecules that have more than one central atom?
-
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:17 am
Re: Representing larger molecules
As with molecules with one central atom, the central atoms that are the least electronegative are in the center. To determine the shape of the molecule, you would need to look at the molecular shape of each central atom independently.
-
- Posts: 105
- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:21 am
-
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:15 am
Re: Representing larger molecules
The atom thats least electronegative should be the central atom, if you have two I would assume it would be best to create the shape by simply drawing the structure according to the appearance in the chemical formula.
-
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:17 am
Re: Representing larger molecules
Generally if your molecule has more than a few atoms its going to be listed in the order that it is formed so it generally isn't a problem, you just gotta make sure everything works out charge wise and octet rule wise. Regarding shape, you just consider one "central" atom at a time.
Return to “Determining Molecular Shape (VSEPR)”
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests