Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound CH2Br (bromomethane)?

• A. The carbon atom has one lone pair and forms single bonds with two hydrogen atoms and one bromine atom.
• B. The central carbon atom forms double bonds with both hydrogen atoms and a single bond with bromine.
• C. The central carbon atom forms single bonds with two hydrogen atoms and one bromine atom, and has no lone pairs.
• D. The bromine atom forms a double bond with carbon and has no lone pairs.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that the Lewis dot structure represents the valence electrons of atoms in a molecule, showing bonds as shared electron pairs and lone pairs as dots around atoms.
2. Determine the total number of valence electrons in CH2Br: Carbon has 4, each hydrogen has 1, and bromine has 7 valence electrons. Sum these to find the total electrons to be distributed.
3. Identify the central atom, which is usually the least electronegative element that can form multiple bonds; here, carbon is the central atom bonded to two hydrogens and one bromine.
4. Assign single bonds between carbon and each hydrogen and bromine atom, using 2 electrons per bond, and then distribute the remaining electrons to satisfy the octet rule for carbon and bromine, remembering hydrogen only needs 2 electrons.
5. Check for lone pairs: Carbon typically has no lone pairs in such compounds, while bromine usually has three lone pairs to complete its octet; verify that the structure has no double bonds and that all atoms have complete valence shells.