Lewis structure of SCl2

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The Lewis structure of SCl₂ contains two single bonds, with sulfur in the center, and two chlorines on either side. There are three lone pairs on each chlorine atom, and two lone pairs on the sulfur atom.

Steps

By using the following steps, you can easily draw the Lewis structure of SCl₂:

#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… sulfur is a group 16 element and chlorine is a group 17 element. Hence, sulfur has six valence electrons and chlorine has seven valence electrons.

Now SCl₂ has one sulfur atom and two chlorine atoms.

So the total number of valence electrons = valence electrons of sulfur atom + (valence electrons of chlorine atom × 2)

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 6 + 14 = 20

• 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 sulfur and chlorine as follows:

Electronegativity value of sulfur = 2.58
Electronegativity value of chlorine = 3.16

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

So now, put sulfur in the center and chlorines on either side. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of SCl₂ something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of ClF₃ (4 steps)

#2 Show chemical bond

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

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

#3 Mark lone pairs

As calculated earlier, we have a total of 20 valence electrons. And in the above structure, we have already used four valence electrons. Hence, sixteen valence electrons are remaining.

Two valence electrons represent one lone pair. So sixteen valence electrons = eight lone pairs.

Note that both (sulfur and chlorine) are the period 3 elements, so they can keep more than 8 electrons in their 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 chlorines, so each chlorine will get three lone pairs. And the central atom (sulfur) will get two lone pairs.

So the Lewis structure of SCl₂ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the central atom (sulfur), 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 BeF₂ (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 sulfur atom

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

Formal charge = 6 – 4 – ½ (4) = 0

• For each chlorine 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 SCl₂ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of both (sulfur and chlorine) are zero. Therefore, this is the stable Lewis structure of SCl₂.

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

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Related

• Lewis structure of ClF₃
• Lewis structure of PF₅
• Lewis structure of BeF₂
• Lewis structure of SCN^–
• Lewis structure of HNO₃

External video

• SCl2 Lewis Structure: How to Draw the Lewis Structure for SCl2 – YouTube • Wayne Breslyn

External links

• Lewis Structure for SCl2 – The University of Maryland
• SCl2 Lewis structure, molecular geometry or shape, polarity, hybridization – Topblogtenz
• SCl2 Lewis Structure in 6 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• Chemical Bonding: SCl2 Lewis Structure – The Geoexchange
• SCl2 Lewis Structure, Geometry, Hybridization, and Polarity – Techiescientist
• What is the Lewis structure for SCl2? – Homework.Study.com
• SCl2 Lewis Structure, Molecular Geometry, Hybridization, Bond Angle and Shape – Geometry of Molecules
• How to draw SCl2 Lewis Structure? – Science Education and Tutorials
• Sulfur dichloride (SCl2) Ion Lewis Structure – Chemistry School
• SCl2 Lewis Structure (Sulfur Dichloride) – Pinterest
• Lewis Dot of Sulfur Dichloride SCl2 – Kent’s Chemistry
• What is the molecular shape of SCl2? – Socratic
• Sulfur Dichloride, SCl2 Molecular Geometry & Polarity – Tutor-Homework.com
• Is SCl2 polar or non-polar? – Quora