C2H6 Lewis structure

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C₂H₆ (ethane) has two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms.

In the C₂H₆ Lewis structure, there is a single bond between the two carbon atoms, and each carbon is attached with three hydrogen atoms, and none of the atoms has a lone pair.

Steps

Here’s how you can easily draw the C₂H₆ Lewis structure step by step:

#1 Draw a rough skeleton structure
#2 Mention lone pairs on the atoms
#3 If needed, mention formal charges on the atoms

Now, let’s take a closer look at each step mentioned above.

#1 Draw a rough skeleton structure

• First, determine the total number of valence electrons

In the periodic table, carbon lies in group 14, and hydrogen lies in group 1.

Hence, carbon has four valence electrons and hydrogen has one valence electron.

Since C₂H₆ has two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms, so…

Valence electrons of two carbon atoms = 4 × 2 = 8
Valence electrons of six hydrogen atoms = 1 × 6 = 6

And the total valence electrons = 8 + 6 = 14

Learn how to find: Carbon valence electrons and Hydrogen valence electrons

• Second, find the total electron pairs

We have a total of 14 valence electrons. And when we divide this value by two, we get the value of total electron pairs.

Total electron pairs = total valence electrons ÷ 2

So the total electron pairs = 14 ÷ 2 = 7

• Third, determine the central atom

Here hydrogen can not be the central atom. Because the central atom is bonded with at least two other atoms, and hydrogen has only one electron in its last shell, so it can not make more than one bond.

Now there are only two atoms remaining and both atoms are carbon, so we can assume any one as the central atom.

Let’s assume that the central atom is right carbon.

• And finally, draw the rough sketch

#2 Mention lone pairs on the atoms

Here, we have a total of 7 electron pairs. And seven bonds are already marked. So we do not have to mark any electron pair as a lone pair on the sketch.

In the above structure, you can see that the central atom (right carbon) forms an octet. The outside atom (left carbon) also forms an octet, and all hydrogens form a duet. Hence, the octet rule and duet rule are satisfied.

Therefore, this structure is the stable Lewis structure of C₂H₆.

Next: COCl₂ Lewis structure

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External links

• https://geometryofmolecules.com/c2h6-lewis-structure-ethane-hybridization-molecular-geometry-shape/
• https://techiescientist.com/c2h6-lewis-structure/
• https://socratic.org/questions/how-can-i-write-the-lewis-dot-structure-for-c2h6
• https://www.thegeoexchange.org/chemistry/bonding/Lewis-Structures/C2H6-Lewis-structure.html
• https://lambdageeks.com/ethane-lewis-dot-structure/