Textbook Question
A series of anions is shown below: The anion on the far right is called 'BARF' by chemists, as its common abbreviation sounds similar to this word. (c) Which, if any, of these anions has an expanded octet around its central atom?
Ch.13 - Properties of Solutions
Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Introduction: Matter, Energy, and Measurement177
- Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions231
- Ch.3 - Chemical Reactions and Reaction Stoichiometry216
- Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution189
- Ch.5 - Thermochemistry175
- Ch.6 - Electronic Structure of Atoms168
- Ch.7 - Periodic Properties of the Elements150
- Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding177
- Ch.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories200
- Ch.10 - Gases179
- Ch.11 - Liquids and Intermolecular Forces113
- Ch.12 - Solids and Modern Materials154
- Ch.13 - Properties of Solutions157
- Ch.14 - Chemical Kinetics199
- Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium128
- Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria164
- Ch.17 - Additional Aspects of Aqueous Equilibria163
- Ch.18 - Chemistry of the Environment105
- Ch.19 - Chemical Thermodynamics164
- Ch.20 - Electrochemistry171
- Ch.21 - Nuclear Chemistry122
- Ch.22 - Chemistry of the Nonmetals82
- Ch.23 - Transition Metals and Coordination Chemistry79
- Ch.24 - The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry16
Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 13, Problem 109a
A series of anions is shown below:
The anion on the far right is called 'BARF' by chemists, as its common abbreviation sounds similar to this word. (a) What is the central atom and the number of electronpair domains around the central atom in each of these anions?
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Identify the central atom in each anion. For the first anion, the central atom is carbon (C). For the second anion, the central atom is nitrogen (N). For the third anion, the central atom is phosphorus (P).
Determine the number of electron pair domains around the central atom. Electron pair domains include both bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons.
For the first anion (carbon with three chlorine atoms), count the bonding pairs. There are three bonding pairs (C-Cl) and no lone pairs on the central carbon atom.
For the second anion (nitrogen with four methyl groups), count the bonding pairs. There are four bonding pairs (N-CH3) and no lone pairs on the central nitrogen atom.
For the third anion (phosphorus with six bromine atoms), count the bonding pairs. There are six bonding pairs (P-Br) and no lone pairs on the central phosphorus atom.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Central Atom
The central atom in a molecule or ion is typically the atom that is bonded to multiple other atoms. It is often the least electronegative element in the compound and serves as the focal point for determining the molecular geometry. In the provided anions, identifying the central atom is crucial for understanding the overall structure and bonding characteristics.
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Atom Structure
Electron Pair Domains
Electron pair domains refer to regions around the central atom where electron pairs are located, including both bonding pairs (shared between atoms) and lone pairs (not shared). The number of electron pair domains influences the molecular geometry according to the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory, which predicts the arrangement of atoms based on minimizing repulsion between electron pairs.
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VSEPR Theory
VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory is a model used to predict the geometry of individual molecules based on the repulsion between electron pairs in the valence shell of the central atom. By considering the number of bonding and lone pairs, VSEPR theory helps determine the shape of the molecule, which is essential for understanding the properties and reactivity of the anions in the question.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
A series of anions is shown below:
The anion on the far right is called 'BARF' by chemists, as its common abbreviation sounds similar to this word. (b) What is the electron-domain geometry around the central B in BARF?
Textbook Question
At ordinary body temperature (37 °C), the solubility of N2 in water at ordinary atmospheric pressure (1.0 atm) is 0.015 g/L. Air is approximately 78 mol % N2. (b) At a depth of 100 ft in water, the external pressure is 4.0 atm. What is the solubility of N2 from air in blood at this pressure?
Textbook Question
A series of anions is shown below:The anion on the far right is called 'BARF' by chemists, asits common abbreviation sounds similar to this word.(d) Tetrabutylammonium, (CH3CH2CH2CH2)4N + is a bulky cation. Which anion, when paired with the tetrabutylammonium cation, would lead to a salt that will be most soluble in nonpolar solvents?