Question

In the tetrachloromethane (carbon tetrachloride) molecule the Cl-C-Cl bond angle is 109.5º. Which distribution of electrons around the central atom provides the best explanation for this bond angle?

3 shared pairs, 1 lone pair
4 shared pairs
2 shared pairs, 2 lone pairs
1 shared pair, 3 lone pairs

Answer 1

4 shared pairs

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the VESPR, a molecule with a central atom C linked to 4 Cl would form a tetrahedral, whose angles are 109.5°. When more lone pairs are added, the repulsion is greater due to the unshared electrons leading to a distorted tetrahedral. The more lone pairs, the lower the bond angle.