Step method to draw lewis structure for XeF4( This molecules is an example of expanded octet)
Step 1: Find valence e- for all atoms. Add them together.
Xe:8
F:7x4=28
Total=36
Step2: Find octet e- for each atom and add them together.
Xe=12
F:8x4=32
Total=44
Bromine gets 12 electrons in order to make 5 bonds with surrounding atoms.
Step3: Gives you bonding e-. Subtract step 1 total from step 2
44-36=8e-
Step 4: Find number of bonds by diving the number in step 3 by 2(because each bond is made of 2 e-)
8e-/2= 4 bond pairs
Step 5: Find the number of nonbonding (lone pairs) e-. Subtract step 3 number from step 1.
36-8= 28e-=14 lone pairs
Use information from step 4 and 5 to draw the lewis structure.
Lewis dot structure of XeF4
Alternatively a dot method can be used to draw the lewis structure.
Calculate the total valence electrons in the molecule.
Xe:8
F:7x4=28
Total=36
Put xenon in the center and four fluorine atoms on the sides.
Put a pair of electrons connecting the side atom with central atom.Put remaining electrons on the side atoms.Make sure each side atom get 8 electrons to get octet state.
