Chlorine Lewis Structure

Chlorine Lewis Structure: Cl₂ Lewis Structure, linear (diatomic) Geometry, sp3 Hybridization & Polarity

Chlorine Key Facts

The Chlorine Lewis structure is a linear diatomic with a nonpolar bond between its two atoms; because the two atoms are identical, Chlorine is nonpolar.

Figure 1: Lewis Structure of Chlorine (Cl₂)

Chemical Formula	Cl₂
CAS Number	7782-50-5
Total Valence Electrons	14
Lewis Structure	linear diatomic molecule with one single bond and a lone pair on each atom
Electron-Domain Geometry	linear
Molecular Geometry	linear (diatomic)
Hybridization Model	sp3
Bond Angle	180°
Polarity	Nonpolar molecule

PubChem (CID 24526) and NIST list Chlorine as Cl ₂ with CAS 7782-50-5; molecular weight ≈ 70.90 g/mol. View CAS 7782-50-5 dictionary details on Guidechem →

Applications of Chlorine (CAS 7782-50-5)

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 "Chlorine" 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 7782-50-5 as the primary identifier when screening suppliers; always confirm regional availability and safety documentation (SDS).

Step 1 - Valence Electrons & Central Atom

To draw the Chlorine Lewis structure we first count the total valence electrons. Cl₂ contains 2×7 (Cl); the net charge of 0 gives a total of 14 valence electrons to place.

The central atom is Cl. 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 = 2×7 (Cl) = 14 electrons.

Step 2 - Lewis Structure & Electron Distribution

Place Cl 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: linear diatomic molecule with one single bond and a lone pair on each atom.

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

Cl–X

Cl: 3 lone pairs, 1 bonding domain

1 bonding domains + 3 lone pairs = 4 electron domains

Octet & Diradical Note In a simple Lewis drawing each atom of this homonuclear diatomic carries lone pairs; species such as O₂ are more accurately described by molecular-orbital theory (paramagnetism arises from unpaired electrons in π* orbitals).

Step 3 - VSEPR Theory & Geometry

VSEPR theory states that the 4 electron domains around Cl arrange to minimize mutual repulsion, giving an linear electron-domain geometry.

Because 3 of these domains are lone pair(s) — and lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs — the observed molecular geometry is linear (diatomic); the Cl bond angle is set to 180° 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 3 lone pair(s) on Cl, 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, Cl uses sp3 hybrid orbitals to form the 4 equivalent electron-domain directions (1 bonding + 3 lone pair).

Formal-charge check

Formal charge on central Cl = V − N − ½B = 7 − 6 − ½×2 = 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: sp3 is a compact model for the 4 electron-domain directions around Cl; full quantum-chemical treatments use molecular orbitals.

Is Chlorine Polar or Nonpolar?

Chlorine is nonpolar. Although individual Cl–terminal bonds are polar when the atoms differ in electronegativity, the linear (diatomic) geometry makes their vector sum zero, so there is no net molecular dipole.

Expert Quote — Structural Chemistry Perspective

A common misconception is that polar bonds guarantee a polar molecule. Chlorine shows the opposite: identical bond dipoles arranged with linear (diatomic) symmetry cancel exactly, yielding a nonpolar species.

Interpretation consistent with standard VSEPR / molecular-geometry references.

Its nonpolar character governs solvation and intermolecular behavior; specify grade and handling when sourcing.

Structural Comparison Table

Species	Formula	Central Atom	Electron Domains	Molecular Geometry	Polarity
Chlorine	Cl₂	Cl	4	linear (diatomic)	Nonpolar
Hydrogen chloride	HCl	Cl	4	linear (diatomic)	Polar
Chlorine trifluoride	ClF₃	Cl	5	T-shaped	Polar
Chlorine pentafluoride	ClF₅	Cl	6	square pyramidal	Polar
Chlorate	ClO₃	Cl	4	trigonal pyramidal	Polar
Perchlorate	ClO₄	Cl	5	seesaw	Polar

Practice question Starting from the 14 valence electrons of Cl₂, draw the Lewis structure and confirm the central Cl atom is sp3-hybridized with linear (diatomic) 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 Chlorine (CAS 7782-50-5)? Browse Supplier on Guidechem →

FAQs

Is Cl₂ polar or nonpolar?

Chlorine is nonpolar. Its linear (diatomic) symmetry cancels the bond dipoles exactly.

What is the Lewis structure of Chlorine?

linear diatomic molecule with one single bond and a lone pair on each atom. It uses all 14 valence electrons and the preferred structure carries zero formal charge on the central atom.

What is the bond angle in Chlorine?

The Cl angle is about 180°. Lone-pair repulsion compresses the angle from the ideal linear value.

What is the hybridization of Cl in Chlorine?

The conventional model is sp3. Chlorine has 4 electron domains around the central Cl.

What is the CAS number of Chlorine?

The CAS number is 7782-50-5. PubChem (CID 24526) and NIST identify this with Cl₂; use it to locate suppliers and database records.

References

PubChem CID 24526, Chlorine. Molecular formula, CAS number, molecular weight and chemical identity.
NIST Chemistry WebBook, SRD 69, Chlorine. 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 Chlorine (CAS 7782-50-5).

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 7782-50-5 identifies the substance, not a universal purity specification.

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Chlorine Lewis Structure

Chlorine Lewis Structure