Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound CF3H?

• A. The central carbon atom forms two single bonds with fluorine atoms, one double bond with hydrogen, and has one lone pair.
• B. The central carbon atom forms four single bonds: three with fluorine atoms and one with a hydrogen atom.
• C. The central carbon atom forms four single bonds: two with fluorine atoms, one with hydrogen, and one with oxygen.
• D. The central carbon atom forms three double bonds: one with each fluorine atom, and a single bond with hydrogen.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in the molecule CF3H. Carbon (C) is typically the central atom because it can form four bonds, while fluorine (F) and hydrogen (H) usually form only one bond each.
2. Determine the total number of valence electrons available. Carbon has 4 valence electrons, each fluorine has 7 valence electrons, and hydrogen has 1 valence electron. Calculate the sum for CF3H.
3. Use the octet rule to assign bonds. Carbon tends to form four bonds to complete its octet. Each fluorine atom forms one single bond with carbon, and hydrogen forms one single bond with carbon.
4. Check the bonding and lone pairs. Each fluorine atom will have three lone pairs to complete its octet, carbon will have four single bonds (no lone pairs), and hydrogen will have a single bond (no lone pairs).
5. Evaluate the given statements against this structure. The correct description is that the central carbon atom forms four single bonds: three with fluorine atoms and one with a hydrogen atom.