Lewis structure of BeF2

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The Lewis structure of BeF₂ contains two single bonds, with beryllium in the center, and two fluorines on either side. There are three lone pairs on each fluorine atom, and the beryllium atom does not have any lone pair.

Steps

By using the following steps, you can easily draw the Lewis structure of BeF₂:

#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… beryllium is a group 2 element and fluorine is a group 17 element. Hence, beryllium has two valence electrons and fluorine has seven valence electrons.

Now BeF₂ has one beryllium atom and two fluorine atoms.

So the total number of valence electrons = valence electrons of beryllium atom + (valence electrons of fluorine atom × 2)

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 2 + 14 = 16

• 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 beryllium and fluorine as follows:

Electronegativity value of beryllium = 1.57
Electronegativity value of fluorine = 3.98

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

So now, put beryllium in the center and fluorines on either side. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of BeF₂ something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of SCN^– (5 steps)

#2 Show chemical bond

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

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of HNO₃ (5 steps)

#3 Mark lone pairs

As calculated earlier, we have a total of 16 valence electrons. And in the above structure, we have already used four valence electrons. Hence, twelve valence electrons are remaining.

Two valence electrons represent one lone pair. So twelve valence electrons = six lone pairs.

Note that both (beryllium 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 (beryllium) will not get any lone pair, because all six lone pairs are used.

So the Lewis structure of BeF₂ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on outside atoms. But, the central atom (beryllium) doesn’t form an octet.

Now beryllium has an exception in BeF₂, that it does not require eight electrons to complete its octet.

So 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 CH₃NH₂ (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 beryllium atom

Valence electrons = 2
Nonbonding electrons = 0
Bonding electrons = 4

Formal charge = 2 – 0 – ½ (4) = 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 BeF₂ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of both (beryllium and fluorine) are zero. Therefore, this is the stable Lewis structure of BeF₂.

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

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Related

• Lewis structure of SCN^–
• Lewis structure of HNO₃
• Lewis structure of CH₃NH₂
• Lewis structure of CH₃Cl
• Lewis structure of SiO₂

External links

• Chemical Bonding: BeF2 Lewis Structure – The Geoexchange
• BeF2 Lewis Structure in 6 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• BeF2 lewis structure, Molecular geometry, Polar or nonpolar, Bond angle – Topblogtenz
• Lewis Structure of BeF2 [with video and free study guide] – AceOrganicChem
• How can I draw the Lewis dot structure for BeF2? – Socratic
• Draw the Lewis dot structure for BeF2 – Homework.Study.com
• Beryllium Difluoride BeF2 Molecular Geometry & Polarity – Tutor-Homework.com
• Lewis Dot of Beryllium Fluoride BeF2 – Kent’s Chemistry
• How to draw BeF2 Lewis Structure? – Science Education and Tutorials
• Draw the Lewis structure for BeF2 – Chegg
• Draw the lewis structure for bef2– Brainly
• What is the molecular geometry of BeF2? – Quora