Questions: Three compounds that contain elements from Group 16 are SeO2 F2, SeOF2 and SeOCl2. Possible Lewis electron dot diagrams for the compounds are shown below. (c) Which structure, A, B, or C, minimizes the formal charges for each atom in SeO2 F2? Justify your choice.

Three compounds that contain elements from Group 16 are SeO2 F2, SeOF2 and SeOCl2. Possible Lewis electron dot diagrams for the compounds are shown below.

(c) Which structure, A, B, or C, minimizes the formal charges for each atom in SeO2 F2? Justify your choice.

Transcript text: Three compounds that contain elements from Group 16 are $\mathrm{SeO}_{2} \mathrm{~F}_{2}, \mathrm{SeOF}_{2}$ and $\mathrm{SeOCl}_{2}$. Possible Lewis electron dot diagrams for the compounds are shown below. (c) Which structure, $\mathrm{A}, \mathrm{B}$, or C , minimizes the formal charges for each atom in $\mathrm{SeO}_{2} \mathrm{~F}_{2}$ ? Justify your choice.

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Calculate the formal charge for Structure A

Se: 6 (valence electrons) - 4 (bonds) - 4 (non-bonding electrons) = -2
O: 6 - 1 - 6 = -1
F: 7 - 1 - 6 = 0

Step 2: Calculate the formal charge for Structure B

Se: 6 - 4 - 0 = +2
O: 6 - 2 - 4 = 0
F: 7 - 1 - 6 = 0

Step 3: Calculate the formal charge for Structure C

Se: 6 - 4 - 2 = 0
O: 6 - 2 - 4 = 0
F: 7 - 1 - 6 = 0

Final Answer:

Structure C minimizes the formal charges. Structure C has a formal charge of zero for all atoms, while structures A and B have non-zero formal charges on at least one atom. The best Lewis structures minimize formal charge.

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