16
Question Question 16
Give a reason why one atom of carbon shares four electron pairs, one with each of the four atoms of chlorine during the formation of covalent molecule - carbon tetrachloride.
Carbon [At. no. 6, electronic configuration 2,4] needs four electrons to attain the electronic configuration of nearest noble gas — Neon. Chlorine atom [At. no. 17, electronic configuration 2,8,7] needs one electron to attain stable electronic configuration of nearest noble gas — Argon. Hence, to attain octet one atom of carbon shares four electron pairs, one with each of the four atoms of chlorine and forms covalent molecule carbon tetrachloride.