Lewis structure of ClBr3

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The Lewis structure of ClBr₃ contains three single bonds, with chlorine in the center, and three bromines on either side. There are three lone pairs on each bromine atom, and two lone pairs on the chlorine atom.

Steps

By using the following steps, you can easily draw the Lewis structure of ClBr₃.

#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… both chlorine and bromine are the group 17 elements. Hence, both chlorine and bromine have seven valence electrons.

Now ClBr₃ has one chlorine atom and three bromine atoms.

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

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 7 + 21 = 28

• 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 chlorine and bromine as follows:

Electronegativity value of chlorine = 3.16
Electronegativity value of bromine = 2.96

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

So now, put chlorine in the center and bromines on either side. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of ClBr₃ something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of CH₃COO^– (5 steps)

#2 Show chemical bond

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

Also read: How to draw NO₂^– Lewis structure (5 steps)

#3 Mark lone pairs

As calculated earlier, we have a total of 28 valence electrons. And in the above structure, we have already used six valence electrons. Hence, twenty-two valence electrons are remaining.

Two valence electrons represent one lone pair. So twenty-two valence electrons = eleven lone pairs.

Note that chlorine is a period 3 element, so it can keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell. And bromine is a period 4 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 bromines, so each bromine will get three lone pairs. And the central atom (chlorine) will get two lone pairs.

So the Lewis structure of ClBr₃ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the central atom (chlorine), 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 SnCl₂ (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 chlorine atom

Valence electrons = 7
Nonbonding electrons = 4
Bonding electrons = 6

Formal charge = 7 – 4 – ½ (6) = 0

• For each bromine 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 ClBr₃ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of both (chlorine and bromine) are zero. Therefore, this is the stable Lewis structure of ClBr₃.

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

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Related

• Lewis structure of CH₃COO^–
• NO₂^– Lewis structure
• Lewis structure of SnCl₂
• Lewis structure of CH₂NH
• Lewis structure of HClO₂

External links

• ClBr3 Lewis Structure in 5 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• Draw the Lewis structure for ClBr3 and determine its electron geometry and molecular geometry – Homework.Study.com
• clbr3 lewis structure – Brainly
• Draw the lewis structure of clbr3 showing all lone pairs – Quizlet
• What is the molecular geometry clbr3? – Answers
• Draw the Lewis structure of ClBr3 with lone pairs – Course Hero
• Draw the lewis structure of ClBr3 showing all lone pairs – OneClass