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Paper 3 · November 2009 · Mole and Stoichiometry Calculations

Which structure represents the gaseous SnCl2SnCl_2 molecule?

ACl-Sn-Cl drawn straight (linear), with no lone pair on Sn
BCl-Sn-Cl drawn bent, with no lone pair on Sn
CCl-Sn-Cl drawn bent, with one lone pair on Sn
DSn with a Cl to its left and a Cl below it, and two lone pairs on Sn

Explanation

Tin has four outer electrons. Two are used in the two Sn-Cl bonds, leaving one lone pair, so gaseous SnCl2SnCl_2 has three electron domains around tin: two bonding pairs and one lone pair. Three domains give a bent, V-shaped molecule with the bond angle pushed below 120 degrees by the lone pair, which is the structure in C. A is linear, which would need tin to have no lone pair. B has the right shape but leaves the lone pair off, so it is not the full structure. D puts two lone pairs on tin, which would need six outer electrons rather than four.

ZIMSEC Chemistry Paper 3, November 2009, Q4

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