QuestionMay 2, 2025

What is the molecular geometry of the chlorite ion, ClO_(2)^- linear ) bent trigonal bipyramidal tetrahedral trigonal pyramidal

What is the molecular geometry of the chlorite ion, ClO_(2)^- linear ) bent trigonal bipyramidal tetrahedral trigonal pyramidal
What is the molecular geometry of the chlorite ion, ClO_(2)^-
linear
) bent
trigonal bipyramidal
tetrahedral
trigonal pyramidal

Solution
3.6(309 votes)

Answer

bent Explanation 1. Determine the total valence electrons Chlorine has 7 valence electrons, each oxygen has 6, and there is 1 extra electron due to the negative charge. Total: 7 + (6 \times 2) + 1 = 20 electrons. 2. Draw the Lewis structure Chlorine is the central atom with two single bonds to oxygen atoms and one lone pair on chlorine. Each oxygen has three lone pairs. 3. Determine regions of electron density There are 3 regions of electron density around chlorine: 2 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair. 4. Apply VSEPR theory With 3 regions of electron density and 1 lone pair, the molecular geometry is **bent**.

Explanation

1. Determine the total valence electrons<br /> Chlorine has 7 valence electrons, each oxygen has 6, and there is 1 extra electron due to the negative charge. Total: $7 + (6 \times 2) + 1 = 20$ electrons.<br /><br />2. Draw the Lewis structure<br /> Chlorine is the central atom with two single bonds to oxygen atoms and one lone pair on chlorine. Each oxygen has three lone pairs.<br /><br />3. Determine regions of electron density<br /> There are 3 regions of electron density around chlorine: 2 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair.<br /><br />4. Apply VSEPR theory<br /> With 3 regions of electron density and 1 lone pair, the molecular geometry is **bent**.
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