ALLIED Health A widely used general anesthetic is called halothane or Fluothane. Its IUPAC name is 2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane. Draw the Lewis structure for this compound.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in the molecule. In 2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane, the central atom is carbon (C) because it can form four bonds.
2. Determine the number of valence electrons for each atom. Carbon has 4, bromine has 7, chlorine has 7, and fluorine has 7 valence electrons. Hydrogen has 1 valence electron.
3. Arrange the atoms around the central carbon atom. Since the name indicates 2-bromo-2-chloro, place bromine and chlorine on the second carbon. The three fluorine atoms are attached to the first carbon, and the remaining hydrogen is also attached to the first carbon.
4. Draw single bonds between the central carbon atoms and the surrounding atoms. Each bond represents a pair of shared electrons.
5. Complete the octets for the halogen atoms (bromine, chlorine, and fluorine) by adding lone pairs of electrons around them. Ensure that each atom satisfies the octet rule, except for hydrogen, which only needs two electrons.

Key Concepts

Lewis Structure

A Lewis structure is a diagram that represents the bonding between atoms in a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist. It uses dots to represent electrons and lines to represent bonds between atoms. Understanding how to draw Lewis structures is essential for visualizing molecular geometry and predicting the behavior of compounds.

IUPAC Nomenclature

IUPAC nomenclature is a systematic method of naming chemical compounds based on their structure and composition. It provides a unique name for each compound, which helps in identifying its molecular structure. Familiarity with IUPAC names, like that of halothane, is crucial for understanding the chemical identity and properties of substances.

Functional Groups

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. In the case of halothane, the presence of halogen atoms (bromine, chlorine, and fluorine) influences its reactivity and anesthetic properties. Recognizing functional groups is important for predicting the behavior of organic compounds.