Octet rule how is it used

The dashed line represents the shared pair of electrons that counts toward the octet of each Cl atom. How is the octet rule used in covalent bonding? Ernest Z. Feb 14, How to Calculate Valency. How to Determine the Electron Dot Structure. How to Write a Chemical Compound Formula. How to Calculate Valency of Radicals. How to Do Orbital Diagrams. How to Calculate a Steric Number.

Easy Way to Learn Chemistry Formulas. What Is a Noble Gas Configuration? How to Tell if a Molecule Is Bent. Non Neutral Atoms Examples. How to Figure Valence of Electrons in the Periodic References Chemistry-Dictionary. There are many exceptions to the octet rule. It doesn't apply for transition metals, and elements in period 3 and below can have more than 8 electrons in their valence shell.

Phosphorus, for example, can form a compound called phosphorus pentachloride, in which it has formed 5 bonds -- which would otherwise be a violation of the octet rule. Not all molecules obey the octet rule. Chlorine dioxide is a bit special in not following the octet rule. The odd electron count means that there must be an unpaired electron. This unpaired electron accounts for the rather high reactivity of ClO 2. As such, chlorine dioxide uses include industrial oxidants and disinfects for drinking water and food.

The U. Food and Drug Administration describes generation and application of this fairly common chemical in 21CFR It has sulfur S bonded to six fluorine atoms F. With two electrons per bond, that makes 12 electrons for sulfur. So, as a rule, sometimes sulfur can form 6 bonds instead of the normal 2. Sulfur hexafluoride, or SF 6 , is a real chemical. Although non-toxic to breathe, SF 6 can react to form harmful substances when exposed to certain types of electric discharges. It also acts as a greenhouse gas when it eventually leaks from electrical equipment into the atmosphere.

Although it lacks an octet, which usually makes molecules stable, SF 6 is extremely stable. Sulfur hexafluoride is estimated to float around the atmosphere for centuries. The above describes how the octet rule applies to covalent bonds, as found in molecules. There is a whole second case for how the octet rule apples for ionic bonds.

Click here to learn about ionic compounds and the other case for using the octet rule. Skip to content. Octet Rule. What is the Octet Rule? How Many Valence Electrons for Carbon? There are two ways in which atoms can satisfy the octet rule. One way is by sharing their valence electrons with other atoms. The second way is by transferring valence electrons from one atom to another. Atoms of metals tend to lose all of their valence electrons, which leaves them with an octet from the next lowest principal energy level.

Atoms of nonmetals tend to gain electrons in order to fill their outermost principal energy level with an octet. Use the link below to answer the following questions:. Skip to main content. Ionic and Metallic Bonding.