Lewis structure of XeCl3-

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The Lewis structure of XeCl₃^– contains three single bonds, with xenon in the center, and three chlorines on either side. There are three lone pairs on each atom.

Plus, there is a negative (-1) charge on the xenon atom.

Steps

By using the following steps, you can easily draw the Lewis structure of XeCl₃^–.

#1 Draw skeleton
#2 Show chemical bond
#3 Mark lone pairs
#4 Calculate formal charge and check stability (if octet is already completed on central atom)

Let’s one by one discuss each step in detail.

#1 Draw skeleton

In this step, first calculate the total number of valence electrons. And then, decide the central atom.

• Let’s calculate the total number of valence electrons

We know that… xenon is a group 18 element and chlorine is a group 17 element. Hence, xenon has eight valence electrons and chlorine has seven valence electrons.

Now XeCl₃^– has one xenon atom and three chlorine atoms.

So the total number of valence electrons = valence electrons of xenon atom + (valence electrons of chlorine atom × 3)

And XeCl₃^– has a negative (-1) charge, so we have to add one more electron.

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 8 + 21 + 1 = 30

• Now decide the central atom

The atom with the least electronegative value is placed at the center. By looking at the periodic table, we get the electronegativity values for xenon and chlorine as follows:

Electronegativity value of xenon = 2.6
Electronegativity value of chlorine = 3.16

Obviously, xenon is less electronegative than chlorine. Hence, assume that xenon is the central atom.

So now, put xenon in the center and chlorines on either side. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of XeCl₃^– something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of XeF₃^– (4 steps)

#2 Show chemical bond

Place two electrons between the atoms to show a chemical bond. Since xenon is surrounded by three chlorines, use six electrons to show three chemical bonds as follows:

Also read: How to draw XeF₃⁺ Lewis structure (4 steps)

#3 Mark lone pairs

As calculated earlier, we have a total of 30 valence electrons. And in the above structure, we have already used six valence electrons. Hence, twenty-four valence electrons are remaining.

Two valence electrons represent one lone pair. So twenty-four valence electrons = twelve lone pairs.

Note that xenon is a period 5 element, so it can keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell. And chlorine is a period 3 element, so it can keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell.

Also, make sure that you start marking these lone pairs on outside atoms first. And then, on the central atom.

The outside atoms are chlorines, so each chlorine will get three lone pairs. And the central atom (xenon) will also get three lone pairs.

So the Lewis structure of XeCl₃^– looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the central atom (xenon), and also on the outside atoms. Therefore, the octet rule is satisfied.

After completing the octet, one last thing we need to do is, calculate the formal charge and check the stability of the above structure.

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of CHF₃ (4 steps)

#4 Calculate formal charge and check stability

The following formula is used to calculate the formal charges on atoms:

Formal charge = valence electrons – nonbonding electrons – ½ bonding electrons

Collect the data from the above structure and then, write it down below as follows:

• For xenon atom

Valence electrons = 8
Nonbonding electrons = 6
Bonding electrons = 6

Formal charge = 8 – 6 – ½ (6) = -1

• For each chlorine atom

Valence electrons = 7
Nonbonding electrons = 6
Bonding electrons = 2

Formal charge = 7 – 6 – ½ (2) = 0

Mention the formal charges of atoms on the structure. So the Lewis structure of XeCl₃^– looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of atoms are closer to zero. Therefore, this is the most stable Lewis structure of XeCl₃^–.

And each horizontal line drawn in the above structure represents a pair of bonding valence electrons.

Now XeCl₃^– is an ion having a negative (-1) charge, so draw brackets around the above Lewis structure and mention that charge on the top right corner. And then, the Lewis structure of XeCl₃^– looks something like this:

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Related

• Lewis structure of XeF₃^–
• XeF₃⁺ Lewis structure
• Lewis structure of CHF₃
• Lewis structure of XeF₅⁺
• Lewis structure of ClBr₃

External links

• What’s the Lewis structure for XeCl3 -1? – Quora
• What’s the Lewis structure for XeCl3 -1? – ECHEMI
• Draw the Lewis dot structure for XeCl_3 – Homework.Study.com
• Draw the Lewis structure for XeCl3- – Chegg
• Concerning XeCl3- and its polarity (If it is polar) and Vsepr structure – Reddit
• XeCl3 – dot and cross diagram – The Student Room
• Answer the following questions for XeCl3- – Numerade
• Draw molecular Geometry of xecl3- – Course Hero