In a particular covalent compound, sulphur forms a single bond and contains three lone pair electrons. What is the formal charge on sulfur in this compound? 0 +1 -1
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.
![**Question:**
In a particular covalent compound, sulfur forms a single bond and contains three lone pair electrons. What is the formal charge on sulfur in this compound?
**Options:**
- ○ 0
- ○ +1
- ○ -1
To calculate the formal charge of sulfur in this compound, use the formula:
\[ \text{Formal charge} = \text{Valence electrons} - \text{Non-bonding electrons} - \frac{1}{2} \times \text{Bonding electrons} \]
For sulfur:
- Valence electrons = 6 (as sulfur is in group 16 of the periodic table)
- Non-bonding electrons = 6 (since there are three lone pairs)
- Bonding electrons = 2 (because of the single bond)
Plug these values into the formula:
\[ \text{Formal charge} = 6 - 6 - \frac{1}{2} \times 2 = 6 - 6 - 1 = -1 \]
Thus, the formal charge on sulfur is \(-1\).](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fc94d9e95-0e25-4757-a170-f111f0abbe77%2F4a5b4c1b-4749-4495-9cfc-e6d774025033%2Fm3lxdb_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
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