BrCl5 Lewis Structure & Characteristics: 15 Complete Facts

The valence electrons representation of a molecule in the form of line and dots are called lewis structure. Let us have some more detailed discussion on the BrCl5 lewis structure.

The BrCl5 lewis structure is composed of two main elements i.e. bromine and chlorine. Both are halogen atoms and are non – metallic in nature. It has one bromine and five chlorine atoms. Here, the bromine atom acquires the central position due to its low electronegativity than Cl atoms.

In the BrCl5 (Bromine pentachloride) all 5 Cl atoms are linked with the central Br atom with 5 single covalent sigma bonds shown by lines. Leftover valence electrons are present on 5 Cl atoms and then on the central atom shown by dots. Let us discuss valence electrons, octets, formal charges, lone pairs, and other characteristics of BrCl5 lewis structure and some facts.

How to draw BrCl5 lewis structure?

The lewis structure drawing follows some rules and steps which are given below:

Valence electrons and bonding in BrCl5:

Valence electrons on BrCl5 lewis structure are evaluated by summing the valence electrons on all the Br and Cl atoms. Later make the bonding between all the Br and Cl atoms with single covalent bonds.

Lone pair electrons on BrCl5 and octet rule:

The remaining valence electrons get placed on all 5 Cl atoms and then on the central Br atom and counted as lone pair of electrons. Apply the octet rule on each Br and Cl atom of BrCl5 to find its complete or incomplete octets.

Calculation of BrCl5 and prediction of its shape:

Calculate the formal charge creates on each Br and Cl atom of BrCl5 lewis structure with the help of a given formula. Later determine the shape and geometry of BrCl5 with its hybridization and bond angle.

BrCl5 1
BrCl5 lewis structure

BrCl5 valence electrons

The outermost electrons in the outer shell of an atom or element are called valence electrons. Take a look at the detailed description and calculation of BrCl5 valence electrons.

BrCl5 lewis structure has a total of 42 valence electrons. Both the chlorine and bromine atoms are halogen elements and come under the 17th group in the periodic table. Thus, both chlorine and bromine atoms have seven valence electrons in their outer valence shell orbital.

The calculative part of BrCl5 lewis structure valence electrons is explained in the given below steps.

  • Valence electron on bromine atom of BrCl5 is = 07 x 01 (Br) = 07
  • Valence electrons on chlorine atom of BrCl5 is = 07 x 05 (Cl) = 35
  • Total valence electrons on the BrCl5 lewis structure = 7 + 35 = 42
  • Total electron pair on BrCl5 is determined by dividing its valence electrons by 2 = 42 / 2 = 21
  • Therefore, the valence electrons on the BrCl5 lewis structure are 42 and the total electron pairs are 21.

BrCl5 lewis structure lone pairs

The non – bonding or unshared pair of electrons of an atom in a molecule is called a lone pair of electrons. Here, we are discussing details of BrCl5 lone pair electrons.

BrCl5 lewis structure contains 16 lone pair electrons. They possess a total of 42 valence electrons. 10 valence electrons are involved in bonding and thus being 5 bond pairs. The remaining 32 valence electrons are unshared in BrCl5 which is placed on all 5 Cl atoms and on the central Br atom.

The calculation for lone pair electrons on BrCl5 lewis structure is given in the following steps.

  • Lone pair electrons on BrCl5 is = Valence electrons of BrCl5 (V. E) – Number of bonds / 2
  • Lone pairs of electrons on 5 Cl atoms in BrCl5 = 7 ( V. E ) – 1 (bond) / 2 = 6 / 2 = 3
  • Lone pairs of electrons on 1 Br atoms in BrCl5 = 7 ( V. E ) – 5 (bonds) / 2 = 2 / 2 = 1
  • Lone pairs of electrons on BrCl5 lewis structure is = 1 (Br) + 3 x 5 (Cl) = 1 + 15 = 16
  • Therefore, the BrCl5 lewis structure contains a total of 16 lone pairs of electrons.

BrCl5 lewis structure octet rule

The octet rule says that the 8 electrons occurring in the outer shell of an atom are in a stable state. Take a look at the brief on the application of the octet rule on BrCl5.

The BrCl5 lewis structure has an extended octet of central bromine atom and complete octets of 5 chlorine atoms. The central Br atom of BrCl5 has 12 electrons surrounding it. It has 2 unshared electrons and 10 bonding electrons.

Thus, has a total of 12 electrons around the Br atom, and an extended octet. The 5 chlorine atoms of BrCl5 are surrounded by 8 electrons. It is surrounded by 6 unshared electrons and 2 bonding electrons. Thus, all 5 chlorine atoms have 8 electrons and complete octets.

BrCl5 lewis structure formal charge

The minimum positive or negative charge present on an atom or molecule is called its formal charge. Let us have some detailed discussion on BrCl5 lewis structure formal charge.

Formal charge of BrCl5 lewis structure is = (valence electrons – non-bonding electrons – ½ bonding electrons)

The formal charge calculation is done in the following table by using the above given formula.

Atoms of BrCl5 lewis structureValence electrons on Br, and ClNon – bonding electrons on Br, and ClBonding electrons on Br, and ClThe formal charge on Br, and Cl
Bromine (Br) atoms070210( 7 – 2 – 10 / 2 ) = 0
Chlorine (Cl) atoms070602( 7 – 6 – 2 / 2 ) = 0
BrCl5 lewis structure formal charge, Br = 0, Cl = 0

BrCl5 lewis structure shape

The definite arrangement of atoms having closely packet geometry forming a shape is called molecular shape. Let us discuss the BrCl5 lewis structure shape and geometry.

The BrCl5 lewis structure has square pyramidal molecular shape and octahedral electron geometry. The central bromine atoms are attached with five bonded chlorine atoms and also carried a lone pair electron. Thus in accordance with the VSEPR theory module, it comes under the AX5E generic formula.

It has A as the central bromine atom, X as five chlorine atoms, and E as one lone pair of electrons on BrCl5. Thus it forms an octahedral electron geometry and square pyramidal molecular shape.

BrCl5 hybridization

The atomic orbitals mixing and recasting form a new hybrid orbital having equivalent energy are called hybridization. Take a look at BrCl5 hybridization below.

The BrCl5 lewis structure has ‘sp3d2’ hybridization of its central Br atom. The bromine atom has the steric number 6. The central Br atom steric number is identified as = number of bonds on Br atom of BrCl5 + lone pairs on Br atom. Thus, Br atom contains steric number = 5 + 1 = 6.

As per the VSEPR theory module, the compounds having steric number 6 have sp3d2 hybridization. Thus, in the BrCl5 lewis structure, there is a mixing and recasting of one ‘s’, three ‘p’, and two ‘d’ orbitals of the central Br atom. Hence, it can form a new hybrid orbital of ‘sp3d2’ hybridization having the same energy as before.

BrCl5 lewis structure angle

The gap or angle forming within the two alternate bonds of a molecule is called the bond angle. Below we are discussing the brief details on the BrCl5 bond angle.

The BrCl5 lewis structure has a 90 degree bond angle within it. The central Br atom is surrounded by five chlorine atoms and one lone pair of electrons. They all are lies in one plane and form a square pyramidal shape due to its AX5E generic formula. So, it has a Cl – Br – Cl bond angle of 90 degrees.

Is BrCl5 solid?

Solid compounds are those having a specific geometry and shape in their structure with tight packing of atoms. Let us discuss the details on whether BrCl5 is solid or not.

BrCl5 is not solid and present in liquid form. The atoms of the BrCl5 molecule are not closely or tightly packed and do not form a hard and solid substance. The atoms of BrCl5 are loosely packed and can move freely.  Bromine is a liquid substance and chlorine is a gas added to it. Thus BrCl5 is a liquid.

Is BrCl5 soluble in water?

The chemical compounds dissolved in water at their maximum amount are called the solubility of that compound. Take a look at the brief details on the BrCl5 solubility.

BrCl5 compound is soluble in water. BrCl5 has more hydration energy because it is a liquid compound and its atoms are not tightly packed. It is able to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. Water and BrCl5 are polar in nature. Thus, like dissolves like applies on it as both are miscible.

Why is BrCl5 soluble in water?

 BrCl5 is soluble in water because when BrCl5 is added to water it undergoes a hydrolysis reaction and gets dissociates into the water as Br+ and 5 Cl ions. The positive Br part is attached to the negative OH part of water. The negative Cl part of BrCl5 is attracted towards the positive H+ of water.

BrCl5 can form hydrochloric (HCl) acid and bromic (HBrO3) acid when reacts with water. The reaction of BrCl5 with water is given below.

BrCl5 + 3 H2O → 5 HCl + HBrO3

Is BrCl5 polar or nonpolar?

The electron distribution and creation of partial charge or dipoles on 2 atoms of a molecule is the polarity of that compound. Let us see whether BrCl5 is polar or non-polar.

BrCl5 is a polar compound. It has an asymmetric arrangement of atoms and unequal distribution of electrons on the central bromine atom and bonded five chlorine atoms. BrCl5 molecule has a square pyramidal shape and octahedral geometry and shows an asymmetric atomic manner. Thus it shows polar nature.

Why is BrCl5 polar?

BrCl5 is a polar molecule because it has one lone pair of electrons on the central bromine atom.  Thus, repulsion creates within the Br and Cl atoms, which makes its square pyramidal shape. Hence, partial positive and negative charge develops (dipoles) between the particles, making them polar molecule.

Is BrCl5 a molecular compound?

Molecular compounds are those in which the atoms are covalently bonded to each other and have chains of small molecules. Let us see below that BrCl5 is molecular or not.

BrCl5 is a molecular compound. It is an inter – halogen compound. It has the Br and Cl atoms which are joined with single sigma covalent bonds. Its molecular formula shows the presence of five molecules of chlorine atoms in it. Thus, it shows the molecular nature.

Is BrCl5 acid or base?

Acids are the electron donor species and bases are the electron acceptor species. Let us have a more detailed discussion on whether BrCl5 is an acid or a base.

BrCl5 is non – acidic or non – basic compound because it is an oxidizing agent. As it is an inter – halogen compound and is composed of all the halogen atoms with more electron affinity i.e. chlorine and bromine atoms. Thus it cannot show any property of being acidic or basic in nature.

Why BrCl5 is a strong oxidizing agent?

BrCl5 is a strong oxidizing agent because it has an electronegativity difference between halogen atoms and their polar bonds. It has low dissociation energy and low polarity with effective overlapping. Due to the presence of more electrons in BrCl5, it is a strong oxidizing agent.

Is BrCl5 electrolyte?

Electrolytes are the species which get dissociate into the water and can conduct electricity. Take a look at the discussion that whether BrCl5 is an electrolyte or not.

BrCl5 is a non – electrolytic compound. It is an inter – halogen and has two halogen elements chlorine and bromine. These halogens are non – metals and cannot act as an electrolyte. Also by adding BrCl5 to water it cannot get ionized and cannot conduct electricity.

Is BrCl5 salt?

The solid substance or compounds which are produced due to a reaction between an acid and a base are called salts. Let us discuss in detail whether BrCl5 is salt or not.

BrCl5 is not salt in nature. It is not produced due to the reaction between acid or a base. It is a liquid solution and a strong oxidizing agent due to the presence of inter – halogens in it. It is not a solid crystalline compound and cannot behave like a salt.

Is BrCl5 ionic or covalent?

The electrostatic force of attraction produces ionic bonds and ionic nature, sigma covalent bonds show a covalent character. Let us discuss whether BrCl5 is ionic or covalent.

BrCl5 is a covalent compound. It cannot form ions and does not show an ionic character. All the Br and 5 Cl atoms are held with covalent sigma bonds. It is a strong bond and difficult to break. It has 5 covalent sigma bonds and shows all covalent characteristics. Thus BrCl5 is a covalent molecule.

Conclusion:

BrCl5 lewis structure contains 42 valence electrons and 16 lone pair electrons. It has an extended octet of central Br atom and complete octets of all 5 Cl atoms. It has zero formal charges on both Br and Cl atoms. It has a square pyramidal shape and octahedral geometry with sp3d2 hybridization and 900 bond angle. It is a polar water – soluble strong oxidizing agent.

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