Lewis structure of ClF3

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The Lewis structure of ClF₃ contains three single bonds, with chlorine in the center, and three fluorines on either side. There are three lone pairs on each fluorine atom, and two lone pairs on the chlorine atom.

Steps

By using the following steps, you can easily draw the Lewis structure of ClF₃:

#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 ClF₃ has one chlorine atom and three fluorine atoms.

So the total number of valence electrons = valence electrons of chlorine atom + (valence electrons of fluorine 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 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 in the center and fluorines on either side. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of ClF₃ something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of PF₅ (4 steps)

#2 Show chemical bond

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

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of BeF₂ (4 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 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 atoms are fluorines, so each fluorine will get three lone pairs. And the central atom (chlorine) will get two lone pairs.

So the Lewis structure of ClF₃ 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 SCN^– (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 = 4
Bonding electrons = 6

Formal charge = 7 – 4 – ½ (6) = 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 ClF₃ 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 ClF₃.

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

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Related

• Lewis structure of PF₅
• Lewis structure of BeF₂
• Lewis structure of SCN^–
• Lewis structure of HNO₃
• Lewis structure of CH₃NH₂

External video

• ClF3 Lewis Structure – How to Draw the Lewis Structure for ClF3 – YouTube • Wayne Breslyn

External links

• ClF3 Lewis Structure in 6 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• ClF3 Lewis structure, Molecular geometry, Polar or nonpolar, Bond angle – Topblogtenz
• Chemical Bonding: ClF3 Lewis Structure – The Geoexchange
• ClF3 Lewis Structure, Molecular Geometry, Hybridization, and Polarity – Techiescientist
• ClF3 Lewis Structure (Chlorine Trifluoride) – Pinterest
• How is the Lewis dot structure for ClF3 determined? – Quora
• ClF3 Lewis Structure, Geometry – Kemicalinfo
• Draw and explain the Lewis structure for ClF3 – Homework.Study.com
• How to draw ClF3 Lewis Structure? – Science Education and Tutorials
• CLF3 Lewis Structure, Molecular Geometry, and Polarity – What’s Insight
• ClF3 Lewis Structure, Molecular Structure, Hybridization, Bond Angle and Shape – Geometry of Molecules
• Molecular Geometry of ClF3 [with video and free study guide] – AceOrganicChem
• Draw the Lewis structure for ClF3 – Chegg
• VSEPR calculation for chlorine trifluoride, ClF3 – University of Sheffield
• Chlorine Trifluoride, ClF3 Molecular Geometry & Polarity – Tutor-Homework.com
• Based on lewis structure analysis, what is the formal charge of the central atom in clf3 – Brainly