What is the lewis structure and molecular shape around the carbons in CCl2CH2 as predicted by the VSEPR theory

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What is the lewis structure and molecular shape around the carbons in CCl2CH2 as predicted by the VSEPR theory?

The Correct Answer and Explanation is :

The compound CCl₂CH₂ consists of a central carbon (C) attached to two chlorine (Cl) atoms and a second carbon (C) attached to two hydrogen (H) atoms.

Lewis Structure:

  1. Step 1: Identify the atoms involved and their bonding.
  • The central carbon (C) in CCl₂CH₂ is bonded to two chlorine atoms and a second carbon atom.
  • The second carbon (C) is bonded to two hydrogen atoms.
  1. Step 2: Count the valence electrons.
  • Carbon (C) has 4 valence electrons, chlorine (Cl) has 7, and hydrogen (H) has 1 valence electron.
  1. Step 3: Draw bonds between atoms.
  • The central carbon (C) will form single bonds with each of the two chlorine atoms and one bond with the second carbon atom.
  • The second carbon atom will form single bonds with two hydrogen atoms.

The Lewis structure of CCl₂CH₂ will have a single bond between each atom: two C–Cl bonds, one C–C bond, and two C–H bonds.

VSEPR Theory and Molecular Shape:

The VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory predicts the molecular geometry based on the electron pairs surrounding each atom.

  1. Carbon 1 (C): The central carbon (C) in CCl₂CH₂ has three bonds (two with chlorine and one with carbon). It has no lone pairs. Since three bonding pairs of electrons repel each other, the arrangement of these bonds will be trigonal planar, with a bond angle of approximately 120°.
  2. Carbon 2 (C): The second carbon (C) is bonded to two hydrogen atoms and the first carbon (C). This carbon also has no lone pairs, so the molecular shape around this carbon will also be trigonal planar with bond angles near 120°.

Thus, the overall molecular shape of CCl₂CH₂ is a trigonal planar geometry around each of the two carbon atoms, with the bond angles between the atoms being about 120°.

In summary:

  • The Lewis structure involves single bonds between atoms.
  • The molecular shape of CCl₂CH₂ is trigonal planar around each carbon atom, with bond angles close to 120°.

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