For the molecule SOCI₂
Draw a Lewis dot structure
Identify all polar bonds with either & or symbols.
Indicate the geometry at the central atoms.
Is the molecule polar? If so draw the overall dipole moment using a
dipole arrow +–>
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Lewis Dot Structure, Bond Polarity, and Molecular Geometry of SOCl₂
The molecule thionyl chloride (SOCl₂) consists of a sulfur (S) atom as the central atom bonded to one oxygen (O) atom and two chlorine (Cl) atoms.
1. Lewis Dot Structure of SOCl₂
- Step 1: Count the total valence electrons
- Sulfur (S): 6 valence electrons
- Oxygen (O): 6 valence electrons
- Chlorine (Cl): 7 valence electrons × 2
- Total: 6 + 6 + (7 × 2) = 26 valence electrons
- Step 2: Arrange the atoms
Sulfur is the central atom, with oxygen and two chlorine atoms bonded to it. - Step 3: Distribute valence electrons
- Form one double bond between sulfur and oxygen.
- Form two single bonds between sulfur and each chlorine atom.
- Distribute the remaining electrons to complete octets.
The Lewis structure is:
..
O
||
Cl—S—Cl
..Oxygen gets two lone pairs, while each chlorine gets three lone pairs.
2. Polarity of Bonds
- S=O bond: Polar due to a large difference in electronegativity (Sulfur ~2.5, Oxygen ~3.5).
- Partial charges: δ⁺S = Oδ⁻
- S–Cl bonds: Slightly polar (Sulfur ~2.5, Chlorine ~3.0).
- Partial charges: δ⁺S – Clδ⁻
3. Molecular Geometry
- The molecule adopts a trigonal pyramidal shape due to the presence of a lone pair on sulfur.
- Bond angles are slightly less than 109.5° (like tetrahedral).
4. Molecular Polarity
- Since the S=O bond is more polar than the S–Cl bonds and the molecule is asymmetric, the dipole moment does not cancel out.
- Overall, SOCl₂ is a polar molecule.
- The net dipole moment points towards the oxygen atom.
I will now generate the image with the Lewis structure, bond polarities, molecular shape, and dipole moment.
Here is the image of the SOCl₂ (thionyl chloride) molecule, including the Lewis dot structure, bond polarities, molecular geometry (trigonal pyramidal), and overall dipole moment. Let me know if you need any modifications!