Which of the following best describes the Lewis dot structure of trichloromethane (CHCl3)?

• A. A central carbon atom single-bonded to one hydrogen atom and three chlorine atoms, with each chlorine atom having three lone pairs.
• B. A central carbon atom double-bonded to three chlorine atoms and single-bonded to one hydrogen atom, with no lone pairs on chlorine.
• C. A central chlorine atom single-bonded to three hydrogen atoms and one carbon atom, with each hydrogen atom having one lone pair.
• D. A central hydrogen atom single-bonded to three chlorine atoms and one carbon atom, with each chlorine atom having two lone pairs.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in trichloromethane (CHCl3). Carbon is the central atom because it can form four bonds, while hydrogen and chlorine typically form only one bond each.
2. Determine the number and types of bonds carbon forms. Carbon will form four single bonds: one with hydrogen and three with chlorine atoms, since carbon has four valence electrons and prefers to complete its octet.
3. Draw single bonds from the central carbon atom to each of the three chlorine atoms and one hydrogen atom. Each bond represents a pair of shared electrons.
4. Add lone pairs to the chlorine atoms. Chlorine atoms have seven valence electrons, so after forming one single bond, each chlorine atom will have three lone pairs (six electrons) to complete its octet.
5. Confirm that the carbon atom has no lone pairs and that the hydrogen atom has no lone pairs, as hydrogen only needs two electrons to be stable.