Is a Double Bond Required in the Lewis Structure of SnCl2?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the Lewis structure of the compound SnCl2. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the bonding between tin (Sn) and chlorine (Cl), specifically whether a double bond is necessary or if a single bond suffices, given that chlorine is not the central atom. A key point made is that the octet rule primarily applies to elements in the second period of the periodic table and does not strictly govern the behavior of tin. It is noted that tin can have a free electron pair and form single bonds with the chlorines, which achieve full octets. The conversation highlights that the octet rule and Lewis structures serve as simplifications and may not always accurately represent molecular structures, particularly for compounds like SnCl2. The original poster is in their second year of chemistry studies and acknowledges the complexity of these concepts.
blue bloom
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a question in Lewis structure?

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


alxm said:
(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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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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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):shy:
 


blue bloom said:
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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