Consider the molecule of Phosgene, COCI2. Its Lewis structure is: Linear Trigonal pyramidal What is the molecular geometry about the C atom in COCl₂? Trigonal planar Bent : CI-C= Tetrahedral :CI: :O:
Formal Charges
Formal charges have an important role in organic chemistry since this concept helps us to know whether an atom in a molecule is neutral/bears a positive or negative charge. Even if some molecules are neutral, the atoms within that molecule need not be neutral atoms.
Polarity Of Water
In simple chemical terms, polarity refers to the separation of charges in a chemical species leading into formation of two polar ends which are positively charged end and negatively charged end. Polarity in any molecule occurs due to the differences in the electronegativities of the bonded atoms. Water, as we all know has two hydrogen atoms bonded to an oxygen atom. As oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen thus, there exists polarity in the bonds which is why water is known as a polar solvent.
Valence Bond Theory Vbt
Valence bond theory (VBT) in simple terms explains how individual atomic orbitals with an unpaired electron each, come close to each other and overlap to form a molecular orbital giving a covalent bond. It gives a quantum mechanical approach to the formation of covalent bonds with the help of wavefunctions using attractive and repulsive energies when two atoms are brought from infinity to their internuclear distance.
![**Understanding the Molecular Geometry of Phosgene (COCl₂)**
Consider the molecule of Phosgene, COCl₂. Its Lewis structure is represented by:
- A carbon (C) atom bonded to two chlorine (Cl) atoms and one oxygen (O) atom.
- Chlorine atoms are single-bonded to carbon, while the oxygen atom is double-bonded to carbon.
- Each chlorine atom has three lone pairs of electrons, and the oxygen atom has two lone pairs.
**Lewis Structure Diagram**
- The diagram shows the central carbon atom and its bonds:
- Each chlorine atom (Cl) is drawn with a single bond to the carbon atom, and three pairs of dots around each Cl representing the three lone pairs.
- The oxygen atom (O) is double-bonded to the carbon, with two lone pairs indicated by dots.
**Question:**
What is the molecular geometry about the C atom in COCl₂?
**Answer Choices:**
- Linear
- Trigonal pyramidal
- Trigonal planar
- Bent
- Tetrahedral
This question asks for the arrangement of atoms around the carbon atom in the phosgene molecule, determined by the bond types and electron pairs.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Faab01dc0-572f-4647-affc-231aefa5eea9%2F82a329ac-5087-415d-ae5e-468fd105c895%2F6ewx5op_processed.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
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