Lewis structure of XeCl2

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The Lewis structure of XeCl₂ contains two single bonds, with xenon in the center, and two chlorines on either side. There are three lone pairs on both the chlorine atom and xenon atom.

Steps

By using the following steps, you can easily draw the Lewis structure of XeCl₂.

#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… xenon is a group 18 element and chlorine is a group 17 element. Hence, xenon has eight valence electrons and chlorine has seven valence electrons.

Now XeCl₂ has one xenon atom and two chlorine atoms.

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

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 8 + 14 = 22

• 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 xenon and chlorine as follows:

Electronegativity value of xenon = 2.6
Electronegativity value of chlorine = 3.16

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

So now, put xenon in the center and chlorines on either side. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of XeCl₂ something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of SeCl₄ (4 steps)

#2 Show chemical bond

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

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of SeS₂ (6 steps)

#3 Mark lone pairs

As calculated earlier, we have a total of 22 valence electrons. And in the above structure, we have already used four valence electrons. Hence, eighteen valence electrons are remaining.

Two valence electrons represent one lone pair. So eighteen valence electrons = nine lone pairs.

Note that xenon is a period 5 element, so it can keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell. And chlorine is a period 3 element, so it can 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 chlorines, so each chlorine will get three lone pairs. And the central atom (xenon) will also get three lone pairs.

So the Lewis structure of XeCl₂ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the central atom (xenon), 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 TeCl₄ (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 xenon atom

Valence electrons = 8
Nonbonding electrons = 6
Bonding electrons = 4

Formal charge = 8 – 6 – 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 XeCl₂ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of both (xenon and chlorine) are zero. Therefore, this is the stable Lewis structure of XeCl₂.

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

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Related

• Lewis structure of SeCl₄
• Lewis structure of SeS₂
• Lewis structure of TeCl₄
• Lewis structure of C₂Br₂
• Lewis structure of BrO₄^–

External video

• A step-by-step explanation of how to draw the XeCl2 Lewis Dot Structure (Xenon Dichloride) – Wayne Breslyn

External links

• XeCl2 Lewis Structure in 5 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• Xenon Dichloride, XeCl2 Molecular Geometry & Polarity – Tutor-Homework.com
• Draw the Lewis structure for XeCl2 – Chegg
• Is XeCl2 polar or non polar? | Lewis, Dots, Explanation – Pinterest
• What is the value of the bond angle in XeCl2? – Homework.Study.com
• Draw the Lewis structure for XeCl2 – Brainly