Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound CCl2F2 (dichlorodifluoromethane)?

• A. The central carbon atom has one lone pair and forms single bonds with two chlorine atoms and two fluorine atoms.
• B. The central carbon atom forms double bonds with both chlorine atoms and single bonds with both fluorine atoms.
• C. Each chlorine atom forms a double bond with the carbon atom, while each fluorine atom forms a single bond.
• D. The central carbon atom forms single bonds with two chlorine atoms and two fluorine atoms, and has no lone pairs.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in the molecule CCl2F2. Since carbon is less electronegative than chlorine and fluorine, carbon will be the central atom.
2. Determine the total number of valence electrons available. Carbon has 4 valence electrons, each chlorine has 7, and each fluorine has 7. Calculate the sum: 4 + 2*7 + 2*7.
3. Distribute the valence electrons to form bonds between the central carbon atom and the four surrounding atoms (2 Cl and 2 F). Each bond represents 2 electrons.
4. Check the octet rule for each atom. Carbon typically forms 4 bonds to complete its octet without lone pairs. Chlorine and fluorine atoms usually form one single bond and have three lone pairs each.
5. Confirm that the Lewis structure shows carbon with four single bonds (two to chlorine and two to fluorine) and no lone pairs on carbon, while each halogen has three lone pairs, satisfying the octet rule.