Question

What is the molecular shape of C2Cl2?

Answer 1

The molecular shape of the `C_2Cl_2` molecule is linear.

Starting with its Lewis structure, the `C_2Cl_2` molecule has a total of 22 valence electrons, 4 from each of the two carbon atoms and 7 from each of the two chlorine atoms. Thus, its Lewis structure must account for 22 valence electrons.

So, the two carbon atoms are bonded to the two chlorine atoms through a single bond, and through a triple bond to each other. The triple bond accounts for `"3" * "2 = 6"` electrons, while the two single bonds add `"2" * "2 = 4"` electrons.

The 3 lone pairs around each of the two chloride atoms add up to `"2" * "(3" * "2) = 12"` electrons, which brings the total to the required 22 electrons.

According to VSEPR Theory, the molecular geometry of the molecule will be linear, since each of the two carbon atoms has a coordination number and a steric number equal to 2, with a bond angle of `"180"^@`.