Octet expansion

[salvadorramos3k]

When do we know that an element has an octet expansion and what is the maximum amount of electrons that would be allowed? So far in the course it seems that the most is 10, but are there instances where it can be more?

[chrisleung-2J]

We haven't explicitly learned this yet, but octet expansion can only result when electrons have additional orbitals to fill at a given principal energy level. The most common form of octet expansion occurs when atoms have their valence electron in the 3rd principal level or higher and are able to form bonds by filling d-sublevel orbitals with electrons

[Tiffany Chao 2H]

I think the most important thing we need to know is that the atoms C, N, O, F must fulfill the octet rule. Any other atoms can either have an expanded octet (or don't fulfill the octet rule at all).

[quresh3E]

I don't think that the atoms with an expanded octet necessarily have to have 10 electrons. However, you should always make sure that your lewis structure with the atom with an expanded octet has the same amount of electrons as the amount you calculated prior.

[Emil Velasco 1H]

Elements after the 3rd period may have expanded octets due to their access to the 3d subshell.

[gabbymaraziti]

Elements in the p-block of the 3rd period or lower can have expanded octets. I don't think we've learned the maximum amount of electrons they can hold.

[Cynthia Rodas 4H]

An expanded octet can occur if the atomic number of the central atom is 11 or more. This is because elements of the third principal energy level and above have a d-oribital that it can fill.