Question

A compound composed of only carbon and chlorine is 85.5% chlorine by mass. propose a lewis structure for the lightest of the possible compounds that allows each atom to have a complete octet without formal charges. draw the molecule by placing atoms on the grid and connecting them with bonds. include all lone pairs of electrons.

Answer 1

Answer is in picture below.

Use 100 grams of the compound:

ω(Cl) = 85.5% ÷ 100%.

ω(Cl) = 0.855; mass percentage of the chlorine in the compound.

m(Cl) = 0.855 · 100 g.

m(Cl) = 85.5 g; mass of chlorine.

m(C) = 100 g - 85.5 g.

m(C) = 14.5 g; mass of carbon.

n(Cl) = m(Cl) ÷ M(Cl).

n(Cl) = 85.5 g ÷ 35.45 g/mol.

n(Cl) = 2.41 mol; amount of chlorine.

n(C) = 14.5 g ÷ 12 g/mol.

n(C) = 1.21 mol; amount of carbon.

n(Cl) : n(C) = 2.41 mol : 1.21 mol = 2 : 1.

This compound is dichlorocarbene CCl₂.