Lewis structure of GeH4

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Lewis structure of GeH4
Lewis structure of GeH4 | Image: Root Memory

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:

Skeleton structure for Lewis structure of GeH4 | Image: Root Memory

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:

Four chemical bonds shown between atoms | Image: Root Memory

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.

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:

Formal charges are calculated, and got the stable Lewis structure of GeH4 | Image: Root Memory

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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External links

Deep

Rootmemory.com was founded by Deep Rana, who is a mechanical engineer by profession and a blogger by passion. He has a good conceptual knowledge on different educational topics and he provides the same on this website. He loves to learn something new everyday and believes that the best utilization of free time is developing a new skill.

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