Determine the number of electron groups for the following cation: AsBr₂⁺.

• A. 2
• B. 3
• C. 4
• D. 1

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in the molecule, which is arsenic (As) in AsBr\_2\^+.
2. Determine the number of valence electrons for arsenic. Arsenic is in group 15, so it has 5 valence electrons.
3. Count the electrons contributed by the two bromine atoms. Each bromine atom contributes 1 electron for bonding, so 2 electrons total.
4. Adjust for the positive charge (+1) by subtracting one electron from the total valence electrons.
5. Calculate the total number of electron groups around arsenic by adding the bonding pairs (from bromines) and any lone pairs on arsenic. Each bonding pair counts as one electron group, and each lone pair counts as one electron group.