How do you draw the Lewis structure of ClF₃?

ClF₃ has 28 valence electrons. Chlorine forms 3 single bonds to fluorine, using 6 electrons; 22 remain. Each F gets 3 lone pairs (18 electrons). 4 electrons remain as 2 lone pairs on Cl. Total on Cl: 10 electrons.

Lewis Structure of ClF₃ (Chlorine Trifluoride)

What is the Lewis structure of ClF₃?

ClF₃ has 28 valence electrons, 3 bonding electron pairs, and 11 lone pairs. ClF₃ has 28 valence electrons. Six are in three Cl-F bonds, 4 form 2 lone pairs on chlorine, and 18 form 3 lone pairs on each fluorine. Chlorine has 10 electrons around it (expanded octet). The 2 lone pairs occupy equatorial positions in a trigonal bipyramidal arrangement, giving a T-shaped molecular geometry.

Lewis structure of ClF₃ (Chlorine Trifluoride)

Formula	ClF₃
Name	Chlorine Trifluoride
Total Valence Electrons	28
Lone Pairs	11
Has Resonance	No
Concept	Expanded Octet
Difficulty	Advanced

Step 1: Count Valence Electrons

Cl has 7, each F has 7: 7 + 3(7) = 28 total.

Step 2: Draw the Skeleton

Chlorine forms 3 single bonds to fluorine, using 6 electrons; 22 remain.

Step 3: Distribute Lone Pairs

Each F gets 3 lone pairs (18 electrons). 4 electrons remain as 2 lone pairs on Cl. Total on Cl: 10 electrons.

Step 4: Form Multiple Bonds

No multiple bonds. Cl has 3 bonds + 2 lone pairs = 10 electrons (expanded octet).

Step 5: Check Formal Charges

Cl: FC = 7 - 4 - ½(6) = 0
F: FC = 7 - 6 - ½(2) = 0

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