How many double bonds are present in a molecule of SF2?

• A. 2
• B. 0
• C. 3
• D. 1

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Determine the total number of valence electrons for the molecule SF2. Sulfur (S) has 6 valence electrons, and each fluorine (F) has 7 valence electrons. So, total valence electrons = 6 + 2 \times 7.
2. Step 2: Draw the skeletal structure of SF2 with sulfur as the central atom bonded to two fluorine atoms by single bonds. Each single bond represents 2 electrons.
3. Step 3: Distribute the remaining valence electrons around the atoms to satisfy the octet rule, starting with the outer atoms (fluorines) and then the central atom (sulfur).
4. Step 4: Check if the central atom (sulfur) has a complete octet. If not, consider forming double bonds by sharing lone pairs from fluorine atoms. However, fluorine typically forms only single bonds due to its high electronegativity and preference for a full octet with single bonds.
5. Step 5: Conclude that no double bonds are necessary or present in SF2 because the octet rule is satisfied with single bonds and lone pairs, so the number of double bonds in SF2 is zero.