Lewis structure of C2H2Cl2

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The Lewis structure of C₂H₂Cl₂ contains one double bond and four single bonds, with two carbons in the center, and each carbon is attached with one hydrogen and one chlorine. There are three lone pairs on each chlorine atom, and carbon atom and hydrogen atom do not have any lone pair.

Steps

By using the following steps, you can easily draw the Lewis structure of C₂H₂Cl₂.

#1 Draw skeleton
#2 Show chemical bond
#3 Mark lone pairs
#4 Complete octet on central atom
#5 Calculate formal charge and check stability

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, hydrogen is a group 1 element, and chlorine is a group 17 element. Hence, carbon has four valence electrons, hydrogen has one valence electron, and chlorine has seven valence electrons.

Now C₂H₂Cl₂ has two carbon atoms, two hydrogen atoms, and two chlorine atoms.

So the total number of valence electrons = (valence electrons of carbon atom × 2) + (valence electrons of hydrogen atom × 2) + (valence electrons of chlorine atom × 2)

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 8 + 2 + 14 = 24

• Now decide the central atom

We can not assume hydrogen as the central atom, because the central atom is bonded with at least two other atoms. And hydrogen has only one electron in its last shell, so it can not make more than one bond.

Therefore, choose the central atom from carbon and chlorine.

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 chlorine as follows:

Electronegativity value of carbon = 2.55
Electronegativity value of chlorine = 3.16

Obviously, carbon is less electronegative than chlorine. Hence, assume that left carbon is the central atom (as there are two carbons).

So now, put two carbons in the center and two hydrogens and two chlorines on either side. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of C₂H₂Cl₂ something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of C₂^2- (5 steps)

#2 Show chemical bond

Place two electrons between the atoms to show a chemical bond. Since two carbons are surrounded by two hydrogens and two chlorines, use ten electrons to show five chemical bonds as follows:

#3 Mark lone pairs

As calculated earlier, we have a total of 24 valence electrons. And in the above structure, we have already used ten valence electrons. Hence, fourteen valence electrons are remaining.

Two valence electrons represent one lone pair. So fourteen valence electrons = seven lone pairs.

Note that carbon is a period 2 element, so it can not keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell. Hydrogen is a period 1 element, so it can not keep more than 2 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 hydrogens, chlorines, and right carbon. But hydrogen can not keep more than 2 electrons in its last shell. Hence, don’t mark the lone pairs on hydrogen.

So each chlorine will get three lone pairs, and the right carbon will get one lone pair. And the central atom (left carbon) will not get any lone pair, because all seven lone pairs are used.

Now draw the Lewis structure of C₂H₂Cl₂ something like this:

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

So in the next step, we have to complete the octet on the central atom.

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of SeO₃^2- (5 steps)

#4 Complete octet on central atom

Remember that carbon is a period 2 element, so it can not keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell.

Now left carbon already has six valence electrons. Hence, left carbon needs two more valence electrons to complete its octet.

So convert one lone pair from the right carbon atom to make a new bond with the left carbon atom. And then, the Lewis structure of C₂H₂Cl₂ looks something like this:

Here, the lone pair of carbon is converted (instead of chlorine). This is because carbon is less electronegative than chlorine, and so it can give more electrons to share them.

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the central atom (left 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 P₄ (4 steps)

#5 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 each carbon atom

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

Formal charge = 4 – 0 – ½ (8) = 0

• For each hydrogen atom

Valence electrons = 1
Nonbonding electrons = 0
Bonding electrons = 2

Formal charge = 1 – 0 – ½ (2) = 0

• 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 C₂H₂Cl₂ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of all atoms are zero. Therefore, this is the stable Lewis structure of C₂H₂Cl₂.

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

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Related

• Lewis structure of C₂^2-
• Lewis structure of SeO₃^2-
• Lewis structure of P₄
• Lewis structure of ClF
• Lewis structure of NH₂OH

External links

• Chemical Bonding: C2H2Cl2 Lewis Structure – The Geoexchange
• C2H2Cl2 Lewis structure, Molecular geometry, Polar or nonpolar, Isomers – Topblogtenz
• C2H2Cl2 Lewis Structure in 6 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• How can you determine the Lewis dot structure for C2H2Cl2? – Quora
• Draw and explain the Lewis structure for C2H2Cl2 – Homework.Study.com
• C2H2Cl2 molecular geometry – Chemical Forums
• Draw the Lewis Structure for dichloroethane, C2H2Cl2 – Chegg
• This is the correct Lewis structure for the molecule C2H2Cl2? – Brainly