Question

Draw the lewis structure of the hypochlorite ion clo- . include lone pairs

Answer 1

Solution:- Hypochlorite ion $ClO^-$ has one Cl and one O atom. Cl has 7 valence electrons and O has 6 valence electrons. Since there is one negative charge on the ion,

total valence electrons = 7 + 6 +1 = 14

(note:- if there is negative charge then it is added  and if there is positive charge then it is subtracted while calculating the valence electrons)

Both Cl and O atoms wants to complete their octet and so for this we put a single bond between them. Single bond means two electrons, so the remaining electrons would be 14 - 2 = 12

It means 12 electrons will be placed as lone pair of electrons. To complete the octet, we put 6 dots around each of the atom. Oxygen is more electron negative than Cl, so we show the -1 charge for oxygen.