Complete the Lewis structures of the following molecules. Predict the molecular structure, polarity, bond angles, and hybrid orbitals used by the atoms marked by asterisks for each molecule. a. \(\mathrm{BH}_{3}\) a. \(\mathrm{BH}_{3}\) b. \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{F}_{2}\) c. \(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{6}\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
a. BH₃: Lewis structure is B surrounded by three H atoms in a trigonal planar geometry. The molecule is nonpolar with bond angles of 120° and uses sp² hybrid orbitals for B. b. N₂F₂: Lewis structure has two N atoms connected by a double bond and each N atom bonded to an F atom. The molecule is nonpolar with bond angles of 180° and uses sp² hybrid orbitals for N atoms. c. C₄H₆: Lewis structure forms a cyclic triangle with three C atoms and one triple bond between the first and third C atom. The molecule is nonpolar with bond angles of approximately 60° in the cyclic part. The carbon atoms in the cycle use sp² hybrid orbitals, while the carbon atom with the triple bond uses sp hybrid orbitals.

Step by step solution

01

Draw the Lewis structure

For BH₃, start with the central atom, B (boron), and place one H (hydrogen) atom on each side of it. Now, count the valence electrons. Boron has 3 valence electrons and each hydrogen has 1 valence electron, making a total of 6 valence electrons for BH₃. Each H atom is connected to B with a single bond, consuming all 6 valence electrons. H | B - H | H
02

Determine molecular structure

Using VSEPR theory, the molecular geometry of BH₃ is trigonal planar.
03

Determine the polarity of the molecule

BH₃ is nonpolar because the electronegativities of B and H are similar, and the symmetrical trigonal planar geometry cancels out any polarities, resulting in a nonpolar molecule.
04

Calculate bond angles

In a trigonal planar structure, the bond angles between atoms are 120°.
05

Identify hybrid orbitals

For the central atom, B, it is using three orbitals for bonding, which means it is using sp² hybrid orbitals. b. N₂F₂
06

Draw the Lewis structure

For N₂F₂, first draw two N (nitrogen) atoms connected by a double bond and two F (fluorine) atoms each connected by single bonds to the nitrogen atoms. Count the valence electrons: each nitrogen has 5, and each fluorine has 7, making a total of 24 valence electrons for N₂F₂. Satisfy the octet rule for each atom with the remaining electrons (by adding lone pairs). :F: :: N = N :: :F:
07

Determine molecular structure

Using VSEPR theory, the molecular geometry of N₂F₂ is trans planar.
08

Determine the polarity of the molecule

N₂F₂ is nonpolar because the two polar N-F bonds are opposite each other and cancel out any polarities, resulting in a nonpolar molecule.
09

Calculate bond angles

In a trans planar structure, the bond angles between atoms are all 180°.
10

Identify hybrid orbitals

For the nitrogen atoms marked by asterisks, they are using three orbitals for bonding, which means they are using sp² hybrid orbitals. c. C₄H₆
11

Draw the Lewis structure

For C₄H₆, draw a cyclic structure (a triangle) with three C (carbon) atoms, and one triple bond between the first and third C atom. Connect each of the remaining free sides with an H (hydrogen) atom. Count the valence electrons: each carbon has 4, and each hydrogen has 1, making a total of 18 valence electrons for C₄H₆. This Lewis structure satisfies the octet rule for each atom. H H | \ C = C = C \\ / C - H
12

Determine molecular structure

Using VSEPR theory, the molecular geometry of C₄H₆ is cyclic and triangular.
13

Determine the polarity of the molecule

C₄H₆ is nonpolar because the symmetrical structure of the molecule causes the polarities to cancel out.
14

Calculate bond angles

In this cyclic structure, the bond angles between atoms in the cyclic part are approximately 60°.
15

Identify hybrid orbitals

For the carbon atoms marked by asterisks in the cyclic part, they are using three orbitals for bonding, which means they are using sp² hybrid orbitals. The carbon atom with the triple bond is using four orbitals for bonding, which means it is using sp hybrid orbitals.

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