Lewis structure of CF4

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The Lewis structure of CF₄ contains four single bonds, with carbon in the center, and four fluorines on either side. There are three lone pairs on each fluorine atom, and the carbon atom does not have any lone pair.

Steps

By using the following steps, you can easily draw the Lewis structure of CF₄:

#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… carbon is a group 14 element and fluorine is a group 17 element. Hence, carbon has four valence electrons and fluorine has seven valence electrons.

Now CF₄ has one carbon atom and four fluorine atoms.

So the total number of valence electrons = valence electrons of carbon atom + (valence electrons of fluorine atom × 4)

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 4 + 28 = 32

• 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 carbon and fluorine as follows:

Electronegativity value of carbon = 2.55
Electronegativity value of fluorine = 3.98

Obviously, carbon is less electronegative than fluorine. Hence, assume that carbon is the central atom.

So now, put carbon in the center and fluorines on either side. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of CF₄ something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of PF₃ (4 steps)

#2 Show chemical bond

Place two electrons between the atoms to show a chemical bond. Since carbon is surrounded by four fluorines, use eight electrons to show four chemical bonds as follows:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of XeF₄ (4 steps)

#3 Mark lone pairs

As calculated earlier, we have a total of 32 valence electrons. And in the above structure, we have already used eight 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 both (carbon and fluorine) are the period 2 elements, so they can not keep more than 8 electrons in their 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 fluorines, so each fluorine will get three lone pairs. And the central atom (carbon) will not get any lone pair, because all twelve lone pairs are used.

So the Lewis structure of CF₄ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the central atom (carbon), 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 F₂ (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 carbon atom

Valence electrons = 4
Nonbonding electrons = 0
Bonding electrons = 8

Formal charge = 4 – 0 – ½ (8) = 0

• For each fluorine 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 CF₄ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of both (carbon and fluorine) are zero. Therefore, this is the stable Lewis structure of CF₄.

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

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Related

• Lewis structure of PF₃
• Lewis structure of XeF₄
• Lewis structure of F₂
• Lewis structure of PO₄^3-
• Lewis structure of HCl

External links

• CF4 lewis structure, Molecular geometry, Polar or nonpolar, Bond angle – Topblogtenz
• CF4 Lewis Structure in 6 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• CF4 Lewis Structure, Molecular Geometry, Hybridization, Bond Angle and Shape – Geometry of Molecules
• What is the Lewis dot structure for CF4? – Homework.Study.com
• CF4 Lewis Structure (Carbon Tetrafluoride) – Pinterest
• CF4 Lewis Structure, Molecular Geometry, Hybridization, and Polarity – Techiescientist
• How do I draw a Lewis structure for CF4? – Quora
• How to draw a CF4 Lewis Structure? – Science Education and Tutorials
• Draw The Lewis Structure Of CF4. What Are Formal Charges On C And F, Respectively, In That Lewis Structure? – Chegg
• Lewis structure for CF4? – Answers
• Create the Lewis structure of CF4 – Brainly