1) Calculate the number of valence electrons in methylene chloride, CH2Cl•

1 answer

To calculate the number of valence electrons in methylene chloride (CH2Cl•), we need to first identify the number of valence electrons contributed by each atom in the molecule.

1. Carbon (C): Carbon is in Group 14 of the periodic table and has 4 valence electrons.
2. Hydrogen (H): Hydrogen is in Group 1 and has 1 valence electron. Since there are 2 hydrogen atoms, the total number of valence electrons from hydrogen is \(2 \times 1 = 2\).
3. Chlorine (Cl): Chlorine is in Group 17 and has 7 valence electrons.
4. Radical (•): The notation CH2Cl• indicates that there is an unpaired electron, which contributes 1 additional electron.

Now, we add up all the valence electrons:

\[
\text{Carbon: } 4
\]
\[
\text{Hydrogen: } 2
\]
\[
\text{Chlorine: } 7
\]
\[
\text{Radical: } 1
\]

So, the total number of valence electrons in CH2Cl• is:

\[
4 + 2 + 7 + 1 = 14
\]

Therefore, methylene chloride, CH2Cl•, has **14 valence electrons**.