Lewis structure of GeH4

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The Lewis structure of GeH₄ represents the molecular arrangement of germane, a compound containing one germanium and four hydrogen atoms. In this structure, there are four single bonds, with germanium at the center bonded to four hydrogen atoms. There are no lone pairs on any of the atoms, and the final structure is stable, as indicated by zero formal charges on each atom.

To accurately draw the Lewis structure of GeH₄, begin by creating a rough sketch of the molecule. Then, depict the chemical bonds between each atom and indicate any lone pairs present. Ensure that the octet rule (or duet rule for hydrogen) is satisfied for both the central atom and all outer atoms. Lastly, check the stability of the structure by calculating formal charges for each atom. Try to achieve a stable structure with the least possible formal charges for an accurate Lewis structure of GeH₄.

Steps

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… germanium is a group 14 element and hydrogen is a group 1 element. Hence, germanium has four valence electrons and hydrogen has one valence electron.

Now GeH₄ has one germanium atom and four hydrogen atoms.

So the total number of valence electrons = valence electrons of germanium atom + (valence electrons of hydrogen atom × 4)

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 4 + 4 = 8

• 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.

Hence, assume that germanium is the central atom.

So now, put germanium in the center and hydrogens on either side. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of GeH₄ something like this:

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

Show chemical bond

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

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the central atom (germanium), 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 XeCl₄ (4 steps)

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 germanium 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

Mention the formal charges of atoms on the structure. So the Lewis structure of GeH₄ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of both (germanium and hydrogen) are zero. Therefore, this is the stable Lewis structure of GeH₄.

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

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Related

• Lewis structure of HOF
• Lewis structure of XeCl₄
• CH₃⁺ Lewis structure
• Lewis structure of CH₃NCO
• Lewis structure of CO₂

External links

• GeH4 Lewis Structure in 6 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• Write a Lewis structure for GeH4 – Homework.Study.com
• Germanium Tetrahydride, GeH4 Molecular Geometry & Polarity – Tutor-Homework.com
• draw the lewis structure for the GeH4 in the window below and then decide if the molecule is polar or nonpolar – Chegg
• Germane | GeH4 | CID 23984 – National Institutes of Health (.gov)
• The Lewis diagrams of GeH4 and SCl2 are shown – OneClass
• Draw the Lewis structure for GeH4 – Numerade
• GeH4 (Germane) Oxidation Number – ChemicalAid
• Germane – Wikipedia