Sulfur chloropentafluoride Lewis Structure

Sulfur chloropentafluoride Lewis Structure: ClF₅S Lewis Structure, octahedral Geometry, sp3d2 Hybridization & Polarity

Sulfur chloropentafluoride Key Facts

The Sulfur chloropentafluoride Lewis structure is S–F single bond, S–F single bond, S–F single bond, S–F single bond, S–F single bond and S–Cl single bond; the central S has 6 electron domains (0 lone pairs), giving a octahedral electron-domain arrangement and a octahedral molecular geometry with a 90° bond angle. S is best described as sp3d2-hybridized, and Sulfur chloropentafluoride is polar because the octahedral shape (and/or unequal terminal atoms) prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles.

Figure 1: Lewis Structure of Sulfur chloropentafluoride (ClF₅S)

Chemical Formula	ClF₅S
CAS Number	13780-57-9
Total Valence Electrons	48
Lewis Structure	S–F single bond, S–F single bond, S–F single bond, S–F single bond, S–F single bond and S–Cl single bond
Electron-Domain Geometry	octahedral
Molecular Geometry	octahedral
Hybridization Model	sp3d2 (central S)
Bond Angle	90°
Polarity	Polar molecule

PubChem (CID 123330) and NIST list Sulfur chloropentafluoride as ClF ₅S with CAS 13780-57-9; molecular weight ≈ 162.51 g/mol. View CAS 13780-57-9 dictionary details on Guidechem →

Applications of Sulfur chloropentafluoride (CAS 13780-57-9)

This organic compound is used as a solvent, intermediate or specialty reagent in fine-chemical, pharmaceutical and materials synthesis; specify grade and impurity profile when sourcing.

Solvent / Reagent Medium for reactions, extraction or formulation.

Intermediate Building block for downstream derivatives.

Specialty Use Targeted role in pharma/fragrance/materials.

Procurement Note "Sulfur chloropentafluoride" is supplied in multiple commercial grades and package sizes. Specify purity, grade, moisture/impurity limits, package (cylinder, drum or bulk) and intended process, and use CAS 13780-57-9 as the primary identifier when screening suppliers; always confirm regional availability and safety documentation (SDS).

Step 1 - Valence Electrons & Central Atom

To draw the Sulfur chloropentafluoride Lewis structure we first count the total valence electrons. ClF₅S contains 7 (Cl) + 5×7 (F) + 6 (S); the net charge of 0 gives a total of 48 valence electrons to place.

The central atom is S. It is the least electronegative atom capable of forming multiple bonds and is surrounded by the more electronegative terminal atom(s); hydrogen, when present, always occupies a terminal position. Electronegativity considerations place the electron density toward the terminal atom(s).

Valence-electron count

Total valence electrons = 7 (Cl) + 5×7 (F) + 6 (S) = 48 electrons.

Step 2 - Lewis Structure & Electron Distribution

Place S at the center and connect each surrounding atom with a single bond, complete octets on the terminal atoms, and place any remaining electrons on the central atom. The resulting electron distribution is: S–F single bond, S–F single bond, S–F single bond, S–F single bond, S–F single bond and S–Cl single bond; no lone pairs on S.

Counting bonding and nonbonding electrons around S therefore satisfies the octet/expanded-octet requirement for the drawn structure.

S–F S–F S–F S–F S–F S–Cl

S: 0 lone pairs, 6 bonding domains

6 bonding domains + 0 lone pairs = 6 electron domains

Expanded Octet: d-Orbital Participation Central S belongs to period 3 or below, so it can accommodate more than eight electrons: low-lying d orbitals become available and the octahedral arrangement with 6 domains reflects this expanded valence shell. The octet rule alone does not apply to such hypervalent species.

Step 3 - VSEPR Theory & Geometry

VSEPR theory states that the 6 electron domains around S arrange to minimize mutual repulsion, giving an octahedral electron-domain geometry.

Because 0 of these domains are lone pair(s) — and lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs — the observed molecular geometry is octahedral; the S bond angle is set to 90° rather than the ideal value for the electron-domain geometry.

Repulsion hierarchy

A useful VSEPR approximation is: lone pair–lone pair repulsion > lone pair–bonding pair repulsion > bonding pair–bonding pair repulsion. With 0 lone pair(s) on S, the lone-pair domains occupy positions that minimize overall repulsion while pushing the bonding domains (and therefore the bonded atoms) closer together.

Hybridization & Formal Charge

In the conventional localized-bond model, S uses sp3d2 hybrid orbitals to form the 6 equivalent electron-domain directions (6 bonding + 0 lone pair).

Formal-charge check

Formal charge on central S = V − N − ½B = 6 − 0 − ½×12 = 0. The preferred Lewis structure carries zero formal charge on the central atom (and on the terminals), so it is the dominant contributor.

Modeling Note Modeling Note: sp3d2 / sp3d2 hybridization is a convenient localized-bond teaching model. Modern quantum-chemical descriptions of hypervalent Sulfur chloropentafluoride use molecular orbitals and do not require populated d orbitals as the primary bonding picture.

Is Sulfur chloropentafluoride Polar or Nonpolar?

Sulfur chloropentafluoride is polar. The octahedral shape prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles. The bond dipoles do not cancel, leaving a net molecular dipole, which strongly influences solvation behavior and intermolecular interactions.

Expert Quote — Structural Chemistry Perspective

The decisive structural fact is not simply that the individual bonds are polar; it is whether molecular symmetry allows their vector sum to vanish. In Sulfur chloropentafluoride the octahedral arrangement prevents cancellation, so a permanent dipole remains.

Interpretation consistent with standard VSEPR / molecular-geometry references.

This polarity profile underpins its behavior as a solvent, reactant or process intermediate; when sourcing, specify grade and container compatibility.

Structural Comparison Table

Species	Formula	Central Atom	Electron Domains	Molecular Geometry	Polarity
Sulfur chloropentafluoride	ClF₅S	S	6	octahedral	Polar
Sulfur dioxide	SO₂	S	3	bent	Polar
Sulfur trioxide	O₃S	S	3	trigonal planar	Nonpolar
Sulfur hexafluoride	F₆S	S	6	octahedral	Nonpolar
Sulfur tetrafluoride	F₄S	S	5	seesaw	Polar
Sulfate	O₄S	S	4	tetrahedral	Nonpolar

Practice question Starting from the 48 valence electrons of ClF₅S, draw the Lewis structure and confirm the central S atom is sp3d2-hybridized with octahedral geometry. What happens to the bond angle if one terminal atom is replaced by a more electronegative substituent?

Looking for industrial bulk or specified-grade supplies of Sulfur chloropentafluoride (CAS 13780-57-9)? Browse Supplier on Guidechem →

FAQs

Is ClF₅S polar or nonpolar?

Sulfur chloropentafluoride is polar. Its octahedral geometry (and/or unequal terminal atoms) stops the bond dipoles from cancelling.

What is the Lewis structure of Sulfur chloropentafluoride?

S–F single bond, S–F single bond, S–F single bond, S–F single bond, S–F single bond and S–Cl single bond; no lone pairs on S. It uses all 48 valence electrons and the preferred structure carries zero formal charge on the central atom.

What is the bond angle in Sulfur chloropentafluoride?

The S angle is about 90°. Lone-pair repulsion compresses the angle from the ideal octahedral value.

What is the hybridization of S in Sulfur chloropentafluoride?

The conventional model is sp3d2. Sulfur chloropentafluoride has 6 electron domains around the central S.

What is the CAS number of Sulfur chloropentafluoride?

The CAS number is 13780-57-9. PubChem (CID 123330) and NIST identify this with ClF₅S; use it to locate suppliers and database records.

References

PubChem CID 123330, Sulfur chloropentafluoride. Molecular formula, CAS number, molecular weight and chemical identity.
NIST Chemistry WebBook, SRD 69, Sulfur chloropentafluoride. Formula, CAS Registry Number and thermochemical / spectroscopic data.
IUPAC Gold Book. Definitions for "lone pair", "VSEPR", "hybridization" and "formal charge".
Atkins, P. & de Paula, J., Physical Chemistry. VSEPR, molecular geometry and dipole moments.
Guidechem supplier & dictionary records. Commercial sourcing and CAS-linked property pages for Sulfur chloropentafluoride (CAS 13780-57-9).

Technical scope: Lewis structures, VSEPR and hybridization are model-based descriptions for chemical communication and structure prediction; actual molecular electronic structure is more accurately represented by molecular-orbital and quantum-chemical methods. Commercial grades vary substantially by supplier and intended use; CAS 13780-57-9 identifies the substance, not a universal purity specification.

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Sulfur chloropentafluoride Lewis Structure