Question

which structure of ccl₂o has the correct initial electron distribution per step 4?

Explanation:

In the Lewis structure of \(CCl_{2}O\) (phosgene), each \(Cl\) atom should have 3 lone pairs (6 electrons) as it has 7 valence electrons and shares 1 electron with \(C\). The \(O\) atom should have 2 lone pairs (4 electrons) as it has 6 valence electrons and shares 2 electrons with \(C\). The \(C\) atom has 4 valence electrons and forms 4 bonds (2 with \(Cl\) and 2 with \(O\), double - bond with \(O\) in the correct structure). The first structure shows the correct electron distribution around \(Cl\) (3 lone pairs each) and \(O\) (2 lone pairs).

Answer:

The first structure (with \(\ce{::O::}\) above \(C\) and \(\ce{::Cl - C - ::Cl}\) with 3 lone pairs on each \(Cl\)) has the correct initial electron distribution.