Question

In the structure of $Cl{F}_3$, the number of lone pairs of electrons on central atom $Cl$ is:

• A. One
• B. Two
• C. Four
• D. Three

Answer 1

The correct option is B Two

In $Cl{F}_3$,
The central atom is chlorine.
The number of valence electrons in chlorine is $7$.
Each fluorine atom will share one electron.
So total number of valence electrons around the central chlorine atom would be $=7+3=10$
Thus total number of valence electron pairs around $C$ atom $=\frac{10}{2}=5$
$\text{Total number of bond pairs}=3$
$\text{So total number of lone pairs}=5-3=2$

The structure of $Cl{F}_3$ is