C6H12 Lewis structure

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C₆H₁₂ (cyclohexane) has six carbon atoms and twelve hydrogen atoms.

In the C₆H₁₂ Lewis structure, there are six single bonds between the six carbon atoms, and each carbon is attached with two hydrogen atoms. And none of the atoms has a lone pair.

Steps

Here’s how you can easily draw the C₆H₁₂ 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 C₆H₁₂ has six carbon atoms and twelve hydrogen atoms, so…

Valence electrons of six carbon atoms = 4 × 6 = 24
Valence electrons of twelve hydrogen atoms = 1 × 12 = 12

And the total valence electrons = 24 + 12 = 36

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

• Second, find the total electron pairs

We have a total of 36 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 = 36 ÷ 2 = 18

• 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 six atoms remaining and all six atoms are carbon, so we can assume any one as the central atom.

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

Therefore, place carbons in the center and hydrogens on either side.

• And finally, draw the rough sketch

#2 Mention lone pairs on the atoms

Here, we have a total of 18 electron pairs. And eighteen 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 (top carbon) forms an octet. The outside atoms (other carbons) also form 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 C₆H₁₂.

Next: H₃PO₃ Lewis structure

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External links

• https://www.thegeoexchange.org/chemistry/bonding/Lewis-Structures/C6H12-lewis-structure.html