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Ch.21 - Transition Elements and Coordination Chemistry
Chapter 21, Problem 8.110c

Propose structures for molecules that meet the following
descriptions.
(c) Contains an S atom that has a coordinate covalent bond

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand what a coordinate covalent bond is. A coordinate covalent bond, also known as a dative bond, is a type of covalent bond where the shared pair of electrons comes from only one of the atoms involved in the bond. This usually happens when an atom with a lone pair of electrons donates both of them to form a bond with an atom that needs two electrons to complete its octet.
Step 2: Recall that sulfur (S) is in the same group as oxygen in the periodic table, meaning it has six valence electrons. It can form two normal covalent bonds using two of these electrons, and still have two lone pairs left.
Step 3: Consider a molecule where sulfur forms a coordinate covalent bond. One example is sulfur dioxide (SO2). In this molecule, sulfur forms two double bonds with two oxygen atoms. One of these double bonds can be considered as a coordinate covalent bond, where sulfur donates both electrons.
Step 4: Draw the Lewis structure for SO2. Start with sulfur in the center, and draw double bonds to two oxygen atoms. Then, fill in the remaining electrons on the oxygen atoms to complete their octets. The double bond that can be considered as a coordinate covalent bond is the one where sulfur donates both electrons.
Step 5: Remember that this is just one example. There are many other molecules that contain sulfur and have a coordinate covalent bond. The key is to look for situations where sulfur has a lone pair of electrons that it can donate to form a bond with another atom.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Coordinate Covalent Bond

A coordinate covalent bond, also known as a dative bond, occurs when one atom donates both electrons to a bond, while the other atom does not contribute any electrons. This type of bond is common in complexes where a Lewis base (electron pair donor) interacts with a Lewis acid (electron pair acceptor). In the context of sulfur (S), it can form such bonds with transition metals or other electron-deficient species.
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Molecular Structure

Molecular structure refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule, including the types of bonds and the spatial orientation of the atoms. Understanding molecular structure is crucial for predicting the reactivity and properties of a compound. In this case, the presence of sulfur and its bonding characteristics will influence the overall geometry and stability of the proposed molecule.
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Sulfur Chemistry

Sulfur is a versatile element that can form various types of bonds, including single, double, and coordinate covalent bonds. It often acts as a central atom in coordination complexes and can exhibit different oxidation states. Knowledge of sulfur's chemical behavior, including its ability to form stable compounds with metals and other nonmetals, is essential for proposing accurate molecular structures that meet the given criteria.
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