Determine the number of valence electrons in POCl₃ and then draw the corresponding Lewis structure (by following the octet rule on all atoms)

To determine the number of valence electrons, we need to find the atom at the periodic table, because the group determines this. P is at group 15 (or 5A), so it has 5 valence electrons, O is at group 16 (or 6A) so it has 6 valence electrons, and Cl is at group 17 (or 7A) so it has 7 valence electrons.

To follow the octet rule, all the atoms must have 8 electrons in the valence shell, so, P must do 3 bonds, O two, and Cl one. So, the most likely formula is P with a single bond with O, and with two Cl, and the other Cl with a single bond with O.

There'll be 1 lone pair in P, 2 lone pairs in O, and 3 lone pairs in each Cl atom, as shown below.

The Lewis structure is done by placing the atoms with their valence electrons represented and then making the bonds, as shown below.

ajeigbeibraheem ajeigbeibraheem · Answer 2 · 2021-11-18T12:04:43+01:00

The number of valence electrons in POCl₃ is 32 valence electrons.

The number of valence electrons is the number of negatively charged electrons in the outermost shell.

For POCl₃, the number of valence electrons can be calculated as:

= P + O +3(Cl)

= 5e⁻ + 6e⁻ + 3(7e⁻)

= 11e⁻ + 21e⁻

= 32e⁻

Therefore, the number of valence electrons in POCl₃ is 32e⁻ . The diagram of the Lewis structure can be seen in the image attached below.

Learn more about Lewis structures here:

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