Lewis Structure of SbCl5 (With 5 Simple Steps to Draw!)

I’m super excited to teach you the lewis structure of SbCl5 in just 5 simple steps.

Infact, I’ve also given the step-by-step images for drawing the lewis dot structure of SbCl5 molecule.

So, if you are ready to go with these 5 simple steps, then let’s dive right into it!

Lewis structure of SbCl5 contains five single bonds between the Antimony (Sb) atom and each Chlorine (Cl) atom. The Antimony atom (Sb) is at the center and it is surrounded by 5 Chlorine atoms (Cl). The Antimony atom does not have a lone pair while all the 5 Chlorine atoms have 3 lone pairs.

Let’s draw and understand this lewis dot structure step by step.

(Note: Take a pen and paper with you and try to draw this lewis structure along with me. I am sure you will definitely learn how to draw lewis structure of SbCl5).

5 Steps to Draw the Lewis Structure of SbCl5

Step #1: Calculate the total number of valence electrons

Here, the given molecule is SbCl5. In order to draw the lewis structure of SbCl5, first of all you have to find the total number of valence electrons present in the SbCl5 molecule.
(Valence electrons are the number of electrons present in the outermost shell of an atom).

So, let’s calculate this first.

Calculation of valence electrons in SbCl5

• For Antimony: 

Antimony is a group 15 element on the periodic table. ^[1]

Hence, the valence electrons present in antimony is 5 (see below image).

• For Chlorine:

Chlorine is a group 17 element on the periodic table. ^[2]

Hence, the valence electron present in chlorine is 7 (see below image).

Hence in a SbCl5 molecule, 

Valence electrons given by Antimony (Sb) atom = 5
Valence electrons given by each Chlorine (Cl) atom = 7
So, total number of Valence electrons in SbCl5 molecule = 5 + 7(5) = 40

Step #2: Select the center atom

While selecting the atom, always put the least electronegative atom at the center. 

(Remember: Fluorine is the most electronegative element on the periodic table and the electronegativity decreases as we move right to left in the periodic table as well as top to bottom in the periodic table). ^[3]

Here in the SbCl5 molecule, if we compare the antimony atom (Sb) and chlorine atom (Cl), then the antimony is less electronegative than chlorine.

So, antimony should be placed in the center and the remaining 5 chlorine atoms will surround it.

Step #3: Put two electrons between the atoms to represent a chemical bond

Now in the above sketch of SbCl5 molecule, put the two electrons (i.e electron pair) between each antimony atom and chlorine atom to represent a chemical bond between them.

These pairs of electrons present between the Antimony (Sb) and Chlorine (Cl) atoms form a chemical bond, which bonds the antimony and chlorine atoms with each other in a SbCl5 molecule.

Step #4: Complete the octet (or duplet) on outside atoms. If the valence electrons are left, then put the valence electrons pair on the central atom

Don’t worry, I’ll explain!

In the Lewis structure of SbCl5, the outer atoms are chlorine atoms.

So now, you have to complete the octet on these chlorine atoms (because chlorine requires 8 electrons to have a complete outer shell).

Now, you can see in the above image that all the chlorine atoms form an octet.

Also, all the 40 valence electrons of SbCl5 molecule (as calculated in step #1) are used in the above structure. So there are no remaining electron pairs.

Hence there is no change in the above sketch of SbCl5.

Let’s move to the next step.

Step #5: Final step – Check the stability of lewis structure by calculating the formal charge on each atom

Now, you have come to the final step and here you have to check the formal charge on antimony atom (Sb) as well as each chlorine atom (Cl).

For that, you need to remember the formula of formal charge;

Formal charge = Valence electrons – Nonbonding electrons – (Bonding electrons)/2

• For Antimony:
  Valence electrons = 5 (as it is in group 15)
  Nonbonding electrons = 0
  Bonding electrons = 10

• For Chlorine:
  Valence electron = 7 (as it is in group 17)
  Nonbonding electrons = 6
  Bonding electrons = 2

Formal charge	=	Valence electrons	–	Nonbonding electrons	–	(Bonding electrons)/2
Sb	=	5	–	0	–	10/2	=	0
Cl	=	7	–	6	–	2/2	=	0

So you can see above that the formal charges on antimony as well as chlorine are “zero”.

Hence, there will not be any change in the above structure and the above lewis structure of SbCl5 is the final stable structure only.

Each electron pair (:) in the lewis dot structure of SbCl5 represents the single bond ( | ). So the above lewis dot structure of SbCl5 can also be represented as shown below.

Related lewis structures for your practice:
Lewis Structure of CH3SH
Lewis Structure of KrF4
Lewis Structure of TeCl4
Lewis Structure of AsO4 3-
Lewis Structure of XeF6 

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