Cl2 Lewis structure

Cl₂ (chlorine) has two chlorine atoms.

In the Cl₂ Lewis structure, there is a single bond between the two chlorine atoms, and on each chlorine atom, there are three lone pairs.

Alternative method: Lewis structure of Cl₂

Rough sketch

• First, determine the total number of valence electrons

In the periodic table, chlorine lies in group 17. Hence, chlorine has seven valence electrons.

Since Cl₂ has two chlorine atoms, so…

Valence electrons of two chlorine atoms = 7 × 2 = 14

So the total valence electrons = 14

Learn how to find: Chlorine 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, there are only two atoms and both atoms are chlorine, so we can assume any one as the central atom.

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

• And finally, draw the rough sketch

Lone pair

Here, we have a total of 7 electron pairs. And one Cl — Cl bond is already marked. So we have to only mark the remaining six electron pairs as lone pairs on the sketch.

Also remember that chlorine is a period 3 element, so it can keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell.

Always start to mark the lone pairs from outside atoms. Here, the outside atom is left chlorine.

So for each chlorine, there are three lone pairs.

Mark the lone pairs on the sketch as follows:

Formal charge

Use the following formula to calculate the formal charges on atoms:

Formal charge = valence electrons – nonbonding electrons – ½ bonding electrons

For each chlorine atom, formal charge = 7 – 6 – ½ (2) = 0

Here, both chlorine atoms do not have charges, so no need to mark the charges.

Final structure

The final structure of Cl₂ features two chlorine atoms connected to each other through a single covalent bond. In this layout, each chlorine atom satisfies the octet rule by maintaining three lone pairs alongside the single shared pair of electrons. This arrangement represents the most stable state for the molecule because it results in a formal charge of zero for both atoms involved. Consequently, this specific electronic distribution serves as the definitive and most accurate Lewis representation of molecular chlorine.

Next: HF Lewis structure

External video

• Cl2 Lewis Structure – How to Draw the Dot Structure for Cl2 – YouTube • Wayne Breslyn

External links

• https://topblogtenz.com/cl2-lewis-structure-molecular-shape-polar-or-non-polar-dot-diagram-hybridization/
• https://www.chemistryscl.com/general/Cl2-lewis-structure/
• https://techiescientist.com/cl2-lewis-structure/
• https://www.thegeoexchange.org/chemistry/bonding/Lewis-Structures/Cl2-lewis-structure.html
• https://sciedutut.com/cl2-lewis-structure/