Lewis structure of CCl4

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The Lewis structure of CCl₄ contains four single bonds, with carbon in the center, and four chlorines on either side. There are three lone pairs on each chlorine 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 CCl₄:

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

Now CCl₄ has one carbon atom and four chlorine atoms.

So the total number of valence electrons = valence electrons of carbon atom + (valence electrons of chlorine 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 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 carbon is the central atom.

So now, put carbon in the center and chlorines on either side. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of CCl₄ something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of OF₂ (4 steps)

#2 Show chemical bond

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

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of CS₂ (5 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 carbon is a period 2 element, so it can not 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 (carbon) will not get any lone pair, because all twelve lone pairs are used.

So the Lewis structure of CCl₄ 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 NO (5 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 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 CCl₄ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of both (carbon and chlorine) are zero. Therefore, this is the stable Lewis structure of CCl₄.

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

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Related

• Lewis structure of OF₂
• Lewis structure of CS₂
• Lewis structure of NO
• Lewis structure of NF₃
• Lewis structure of PCl₃

External video

• CCl4 Lewis Structure – How to Draw the Dot Structure for CCl4 (Carbon Tetrachloride) – Wayne Breslyn

External links

• CCl4 lewis structure, Molecular geometry, Bond angle, Hybridization – Topblogtenz
• What is the molecular geometry of CCl4? Draw its VSEPR and Lewis structure – Socratic
• What is the Lewis dot structure for CCl4? – Homework.Study.com
• Lewis Dot of Carbon TetraChloride CCl4 TetraChloromethane – Kent’s Chemistry
• CCl4 Lewis Structure, Molecular Geometry, Hybridization, and MO Diagram – Techiescientist
• Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4) Lewis Structure and Steps of Drawing – Chemistry School
• How to draw a CCl4 Lewis Structure? – Science Education and Tutorials
• CCl4 Lewis Structure in 6 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• Draw the lewis structure of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) – Bartleby
• CCl4 Lewis Structure (Carbon Tetachloride) – Pinterest
• CCL4 Molecular Geometry, Lewis Structure, Hybridization, And Everything – Geometry of Molecules
• Drawing the Lewis Structure for CCl 4 (Carbon Tetachloride) – The Geoexchange
• Lewis Dot Structure and Polarity of CCl4 (Carbon Tetrachloride) – Science Struck
• What is the Lewis structure of a completed CCl4 Lewis structure? – Quora
• Draw The Lewis Structure For CCl4. What Is The Molecular Geometry Of This Compound? Is The Molecule Polar Or Nonpolar? – Chegg
• What is the Lewis structure for CCl4? – Brainly
• Carbon Tetrachloride, CCl4 Molecular Geometry & Polarity – Tutor-Homework.com
• Ccl4 Lewis Structure.jpg – Course Hero