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Chapter 9: Problem 78

Give an example of an ion or molecule containing Al that (a) obeys the octet rule, (b) has an expanded octet, and (c) has an incomplete octet.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The molecule AlCl3, containing Aluminum (Al), obeys the octet rule. Aluminum does not form molecules with an expanded octet. The molecule BF3AlF3 has an incomplete octet.

Step by step solution

01

Finding a Molecule that Obeys the Octet Rule

AlCl3 obeys the octet rule. In AlCl3, Aluminum (Al) forms 3 covalent bonds with 3 Chlorine (Cl) atoms to complete its octet. On the other hand, each Chlorine atom also completes its octet by forming a single covalent bond with Aluminum.
02

Finding a Molecule with an Expanded Octet

Aluminum does not form molecules with an expanded octet as it belongs to the 3rd period of the periodic table, and elements from this period and above do not have d orbitals available for bonding. Therefore, they can't accommodate more than 8 electrons.
03

Finding a Molecule with an Incomplete Octet

BF3AlF3 has an incomplete octet. In this molecule, Aluminum (Al) forms 3 covalent bonds with 3 Fluorine (F) atoms, resulting in only 6 electrons in Aluminum's outer shell, which means it has an incomplete octet.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Arrange these bonds in order of increasing ionic character: carbon to hydrogen, fluorine to hydrogen, bromine to hydrogen, sodium to chlorine, potassium to fluorine, lithium to chlorine.

The triiodide ion \(\left(\mathrm{I}_{3}^{-}\right)\) in which the \(\mathrm{I}\) atoms are arranged as III is stable, but the corresponding \(\mathrm{F}_{3}^{-}\) ion does not exist. Explain.

What is the difference between a Lewis dot symbol and a Lewis structure?

Explain why ions with charges greater than 3 are seldom found in ionic compounds.

Describe some characteristics of an ionic compound such as KF that would distinguish it from a covalent compound such as \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\).
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