Chlorine (Cl2) Molecule Lewis Structure
Chlorine is a diatomic molecule and contains only two chlorine atoms. Lewis structure of chlorine molecule contains only one Cl-Cl bond and each chlorine atom has three lone pairs. It is very easy to draw the Cl2 lewis structure.
Cl2 lewis structure
There is only a single bond between chlorine atoms and three lone pairs on each chlorine atoms. So, this lewis structure is a very simple.
Steps of drawing lewis structure of Cl2 molecule
When we draw a lewis structure, guidelines are given. Number of steps can be changed according the complexity of the molecule or ion. Because Cl2 is a simple molecule, it is extremely easy to draw the lewis structure of it. However those all steps are mentioned and explained in detail in this tutorial for your knowledge.
- Find total number of electrons of the valance shells of chlorine atoms
- Total electrons pairs existing as lone pairs and bonds
- Center atom selection
- Mark lone pairs on atoms
- Mark charges on atoms if there are charges.
- Check the stability and minimize charges on atoms by converting lone pairs to bonds to obtain best lewis structure.
Total number of electrons of the valance shells of Cl2 molecule
There is only one element in chlorine molecule. Chlorine is a group VIIA element in the periodic table and contains seven electrons in its last shell. Now, we know how many electrons are there in valence shells of chlorine atoms.
- valence electrons given by chlorine atoms = 7 * 2 = 14
- Total valence electrons = 14
Total valence electrons pairs
Total valance electrons pairs = σ bonds + π bonds + lone pairs at valence shells
Total electron pairs are determined by dividing the number total valence electrons by two. For, Cl2 molecule, Total pairs of electrons are seven in their valence shells.
Center atom of Cl2 molecule
Because, there are only two atoms and both atoms belongs to same element, do not need to worry about center atom selection.
Lone pairs on atoms
After determining the center atom and sketch of Cl2 molecule, we can start to mark lone pairs on atoms. Remember that, there are total of seven electron pairs.
- There is already one bond in the drawn skeletal. So, there are six remaining lone pairs to mark on chlorine atoms.
- Because, there is no center atom, we can mark remaining lone pairs on both chlorine atoms. Each chlorine atom will take three lone pairs.
- Now, all valence electrons pairs are marked.
Mark charges on atoms
There are no charges to mark in the above structure.
Check the stability and minimize charges on atoms by converting lone pairs to bonds
Because, there are no charges in above structure, do not need to follow this step to reduce charges to get the most stable structure. That means, we have already found the best lewis structure for chlorine molecule.
Have Questions?
What are the similar lewis structures to Chlorine molecule?
Fluorine (F2) and Bromine (Br2) are similar lewis structures to Chlorine molecule considering the structure of bonds between atoms and number of lone pairs around atoms..
Though, Chlorine molecule is a non-polar molecule, chlorine gives an acidic solution when Chlorine gas is dissolved in water. Please explain the reason.
Chlorine has a higher electronegative value. When, it dissolve it in water, Chlorine makes strong Hydrogen bonds with Hydrogen atoms in water molecules. Then, it started the hydrolysis process to give HCl and HOCl as products. However, this reaction is reversible and reaches to an equilibrium status if system is kept as a closed system.
Can we decide whether Chlorine is a polar molecule or non-polar molecule?
In Chlorine molecule, there are only two Chlorine atoms with linear molecular shape. Because of that, Chlorine molecules do not have strong polarities on atoms and weak van der Waals force exist between atoms. Therefore, after observing the lewis structure of Chlorine molecule, it can be decided that Chlorine molecule is a non-polar molecule.