a question in Lewis structure???

**blue bloom** · Nov25-09, 06:40 AM

I know that Lewis structure is so easy to discuss ..but I have this compound :
SnCl2
when I drew the Lewis structure of its , I had to make Double bond between the Cl & Sn
..but a teacher told me once that when the Cl is not the central atom it can just make a single bond ..
so that it looks so weird for me !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is it an abnormal case -like PO4- ???
what is the real structure ???

**alxm** · Nov25-09, 01:37 PM

One free electron pair on tin, single bonds to the chlorines which have full octets.
(The octet rule doesn't apply to tin.)

**Borek** · Nov25-09, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by alxm

(The octet rule doesn't apply to tin.)

More precisely, octet rule works mainly for the second period of periodic table.

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**God's Pen** · Nov27-09, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Borek

More precisely, octet rule works mainly for the second period of periodic table.

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in my book,i found that the octet rule works only with the elements C,N,O,F.
??? i don't get it ??

**Borek** · Nov27-09, 12:11 PM

Don't worry - there is no obvious border where it works, where it doesn't. Octet rule and Lewis structures are only a simplification of the reality, no wonder they regularly fail.

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**God's Pen** · Nov27-09, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by Borek

Don't worry - there is no obvious border where it works, where it doesn't. Octet rule and Lewis structures are only a simplification of the reality, no wonder they regularly fail.

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thanks

**blue bloom** · Nov28-09, 01:22 AM

actually ..in MY book they are talking about the octet rule as a main rule
I mean.. it works with all the compounds except some odd of them
& I still do not know the structure of (SnCl2)

**Borek** · Nov28-09, 04:33 AM

Originally Posted by blue bloom

actually ..in MY book they are talking about the octet rule as a main rule
I mean.. it works with all the compounds except some odd of them

Let me guess - that's your first year of chemistry?

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**blue bloom** · Nov28-09, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by Borek

Let me guess - that's your first year of chemistry?

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the system of my education is not like yours ..
but you can consider that is my 2nd year (with) chemistry
the first year -most of it- was an endless equations

anyway it is ok after all -for me at least!!-