Lewis Structure of CCl₄ (Carbon Tetrachloride)
What is the Lewis structure of CCl₄?
CCl₄ has 32 valence electrons, 4 bonding electron pairs, and 12 lone pairs. CCl₄ has 32 valence electrons. Eight are in four C-Cl single bonds, and the remaining 24 form 3 lone pairs on each chlorine (6 per Cl). Carbon has a full octet with no lone pairs, giving a tetrahedral geometry.
| Formula | CCl₄ |
| Name | Carbon Tetrachloride |
| Total Valence Electrons | 32 |
| Lone Pairs | 12 |
| Has Resonance | No |
| Concept | Lone Pairs |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
Step 1: Count Valence Electrons
C has 4, each Cl (Group 7A) has 7: 4 + 4(7) = 32 total.
Step 2: Draw the Skeleton
Carbon is central with 4 single bonds to chlorine, using 8 electrons. 24 remain.
Step 3: Distribute Lone Pairs
Each Cl gets 3 lone pairs (6 electrons), using all 24 remaining electrons. All octets satisfied.
Step 5: Check Formal Charges
- C: FC = 4 - 0 - ½(8) = 0
- Cl: FC = 7 - 6 - ½(2) = 0
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