Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound CF2S?

• A. The central atom is sulfur, which forms three single bonds: two with fluorine atoms and one with carbon.
• B. The central atom is fluorine, which forms single bonds with both carbon and sulfur.
• C. The central atom is carbon, which forms two single bonds with fluorine atoms and a double bond with sulfur.
• D. The central atom is sulfur, which forms two single bonds with fluorine atoms and a double bond with carbon.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the total number of valence electrons available in the molecule CF2S by summing the valence electrons of each atom: carbon (C), fluorine (F), and sulfur (S).
2. Determine the central atom by considering electronegativity and bonding capacity; typically, the least electronegative atom that can form multiple bonds is the central atom.
3. Draw single bonds connecting the central atom to the surrounding atoms (fluorine and sulfur) and count the electrons used in these bonds.
4. Distribute the remaining valence electrons as lone pairs to satisfy the octet rule for the outer atoms (fluorine and sulfur) first, then adjust bonding (single or double bonds) to satisfy the octet rule for the central atom.
5. Evaluate the possible bonding arrangements and formal charges to determine the most stable Lewis structure, confirming which atom is central and the types of bonds (single or double) it forms with fluorine and sulfur.