What is the Lewis Dot Structure of #ClO_3^(-)#?

1 Answer
anor277
Jul 5, 2016

Chlorate is trigonal pyramidal.

Explanation:

There are #3xx6+7+1=26" electrons to distibute over 4 centres."#

#O=Cl^(+)(-O^-)_2#.

There is a formal lone pair of electrons on #Cl#. Counting up the electrons around chlorine, there are 6, rather than the 7 required for neutrality, so it bears a formal positive charge. The doubly bound oxygen is neutral. The 2 singly bound oxygens bear formal negative charges. Clearly, the oxygen atoms are equivalent by resonance.

What is the charge on this representation. Is is consistent?

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