Paper 3 · November 2009 · Mole and Stoichiometry Calculations
Which structure represents the gaseous 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 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