Question

For OCl2, provide the Lewis dot structure, shape, polarity of bonds, and whether it is a polar molecule or not.

A) Lewis dot structure, bent, polar bonds, polar molecule
B) Lewis dot structure, bent, nonpolar bonds, nonpolar molecule
C) Lewis dot structure, linear, polar bonds, polar molecule
D) Lewis dot structure, linear, nonpolar bonds, nonpolar molecule

Answer 1

OCl2 has a bent molecular shape with polar O-Cl bonds and is a polar molecule due to its asymmetrical structure, which prevents the bond moments from cancelling out.

Step-by-step explanation:

For the molecule OCl2, the correct option would be: Lewis dot structure, bent, polar bonds, polar molecule. OCl2 has a Lewis dot structure with a central oxygen atom bonded to two chlorine atoms and two lone pairs on the oxygen itself. According to VSEPR theory, the electron-pair geometry around the oxygen would be tetrahedral, but due to the presence of lone pairs, the molecular geometry is bent, similar to the water molecule. The bonds between oxygen and chlorine are polar because of the difference in electronegativity between the two atoms. However, due to the molecule's asymmetrical shape, the bond moments do not cancel out, resulting in a polar molecule.