Lewis structure of ClF

The information on this page is ✔ fact-checked.

The Lewis structure of ClF contains a single bond between the chlorine atom and fluorine atom, and both the atoms have three lone pairs.

Steps

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

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

Now ClF has one chlorine atom and one fluorine atom.

So the total number of valence electrons = valence electrons of chlorine atom + valence electrons of fluorine atom

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 7 + 7 = 14

• 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 fluorine as follows:

Electronegativity value of chlorine = 3.16
Electronegativity value of fluorine = 3.98

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

So now, put chlorine and fluorine next to each other. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of ClF something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of NH₂OH (4 steps)

#2 Show chemical bond

Place two electrons between the atoms to show a chemical bond as follows:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of S₂O (6 steps)

#3 Mark lone pairs

As calculated earlier, we have a total of 14 valence electrons. And in the above structure, we have already used two valence electrons. Hence, twelve valence electrons are remaining.

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

Note that chlorine is a period 3 element, so it can keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell. And fluorine is a period 2 element, so it can not 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 atom is fluorine, so fluorine will get three lone pairs. And the central atom (chlorine) will also get three lone pairs.

So the Lewis structure of ClF 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 atom. 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 C₂HCl (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 chlorine atom

Valence electrons = 7
Nonbonding electrons = 6
Bonding electrons = 2

Formal charge = 7 – 6 – ½ (2) = 0

• For 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 ClF looks something like this:

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

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

📝 Your feedback matters. Visit our contact page.

Related

• Lewis structure of NH₂OH
• Lewis structure of S₂O
• Lewis structure of C₂HCl
• Lewis structure of HO₂^–
• Lewis structure of TeF₄

External links

• ClF Lewis Structure in 5 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• Explain and draw a Lewis electron dot diagram for ClF – Homework.Study.com
• Drawing the Lewis Structure for ClF – The Geoexchange
• In the lewis structure of clf, the formal charge on cl is ________, and the formal charge on f is ________ – Brainly
• lewis structure for clf – Quizlet
• In the Lewis structure of ClF, the formal charge on Cl is __________ and the formal charge on F is __________ – Course Hero
• In the Lewis structure of ClF, the formal charge on Cl is ______, and the formal charge on F is ______ – Chegg
• Chlorine monofluoride – Wikipedia
• what is the lewis dot structure for ClF (chlorine monofluoride)? – Numerade
• ClF (Chlorine Monofluoride) Oxidation Number – ChemicalAid