Draw the best Lewis structure for #Cl_3^-#. What is the formal charge on the central #Cl# atom?

1 Answer
Jun 20, 2016

This is an analogue (and isostructural with) linear #I_3^-# ion.

Explanation:

#"No. of electrons"=3xx7+1=22# #"electrons"#

The central iodine atom has 2 bonding pairs and 3 lone pairs, and there are thus 8 electrons associated with the central iodine. The central iodine thus bears a formal negative charge.