Question

Write the formula of the simplest chloride you would expect the element of atomic number 33 to form? Draw a diagram showing the bonding present in this chloride.State the sape of this chloride molecule?

Answer 1

As number 33 would form a compound `AsCl_3`

Explanation:

As is in the same family as N which is able to form three bonds.

The outer valance shell of As is `s^2 p^3` The three pairs of unpaired electrons in the p orbitals can form covalent bonds with the single unpaired electron in Chlorine. This creates a molecule with one As atom and three Cl atoms. `As Cl_3`

The shape of the molecule will be triangular pyramidal.

The four orbitals of As will form a tetrehedral shape. The unpaired electrons will occupy three of the four points creating a triangle.
The one set of paired electrons will occupy the fourth point. This will create the shape of a pyramid with a triangular base.

Answer 2

Here's what I get.

Explanation:

Element 33 is arsenic. It is in Group 15, so it needs three electrons to complete its octet.

`"As"` can get a complete octet by sharing with three `"Cl"` atoms.

The `"Cl"` atoms also get complete valence shell octets.

We can represent this structure more compactly as a Lewis structure:

The lines represent the shared pairs of electrons.

According to VSEPR theory, the four electron domains around the `"P"` atom should point toward the corners of a regular tetrahedron, as in the picture of `"PCl"_3` below.

(Adapted from SlidePlayer)

However, we can't"see" the lone pair, so we say that the molecular shape of `"AsCl"_3` is trigonal pyramidal.