Hypochlorous acid Lewis Structure

Hypochlorous acid Lewis Structure: ClHO Lewis Structure, bent Geometry, sp3 Hybridization & Polarity

Hypochlorous acid Key Facts

The Hypochlorous acid Lewis structure is O–Cl single bond and O–H single bond; the central O has 4 electron domains (2 lone pairs), giving a tetrahedral electron-domain arrangement and a bent molecular geometry with a ≈104.5° bond angle. O is best described as sp3-hybridized, and Hypochlorous acid is polar because the bent shape (and/or unequal terminal atoms) prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles.

Figure 1: Lewis Structure of Hypochlorous acid (ClHO)

Chemical Formula	ClHO
CAS Number	7790-92-3
Total Valence Electrons	14
Lewis Structure	O–Cl single bond and O–H single bond
Electron-Domain Geometry	tetrahedral
Molecular Geometry	bent
Hybridization Model	sp3 (central O)
Bond Angle	≈104.5°
Polarity	Polar molecule

PubChem (CID 24341) and NIST list Hypochlorous acid as ClHO with CAS 7790-92-3; molecular weight ≈ 52.46 g/mol. View CAS 7790-92-3 dictionary details on Guidechem →

Applications of Hypochlorous acid (CAS 7790-92-3)

Carboxylic acids and esters are flavors, fragrances, polymers (PET, polyesters, alkyds) and solvents/intermediates; acetate and phthalate esters are plasticizers, and acids are precursors to salts, amides and anhydrides.

Polymers & Resins PET, polyesters and alkyd coatings from acid/ester chemistry.

Solvents & Plasticizers Esters as solvents; phthalates/acetates as flexibilizers.

Flavor & Fine Chem Esters in flavors/fragrances and active-ingredient synthesis.

Procurement Note "Hypochlorous acid" 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 7790-92-3 as the primary identifier when screening suppliers; always confirm regional availability and safety documentation (SDS).

Step 1 - Valence Electrons & Central Atom

To draw the Hypochlorous acid Lewis structure we first count the total valence electrons. ClHO contains 7 (Cl) + 1 (H) + 6 (O); the net charge of 0 gives a total of 14 valence electrons to place.

The central atom is O. 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) + 1 (H) + 6 (O) = 14 electrons.

Step 2 - Lewis Structure & Electron Distribution

Place O 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: O–Cl single bond and O–H single bond; 2 lone pairs on O.

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

O–Cl O–H

O: 2 lone pairs, 2 bonding domains

2 bonding domains + 2 lone pairs = 4 electron domains

Octet Rule: Why O Has Eight Electrons O forms 2 bond(s) and retains 4 nonbonding electron(s), reaching an octet. No expanded octet is required for this second-row (or octet-satisfying) central atom.

Step 3 - VSEPR Theory & Geometry

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

Because 2 of these domains are lone pair(s) — and lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs — the observed molecular geometry is bent; the O bond angle is set to ≈104.5° 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 2 lone pair(s) on O, 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, O uses sp3 hybrid orbitals to form the 4 equivalent electron-domain directions (2 bonding + 2 lone pair).

Formal-charge check

Formal charge on central O = V − N − ½B = 6 − 4 − ½×4 = 1. The nonzero formal charge is distributed by resonance / charge separation; the drawn structure is the lowest-energy contributor.

Modeling Note Modeling Note: sp3 is a compact model for the 4 electron-domain directions around O; full quantum-chemical treatments use molecular orbitals.

Is Hypochlorous acid Polar or Nonpolar?

Hypochlorous acid is polar. The bent 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 Hypochlorous acid the bent 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
Hypochlorous acid	ClHO	O	4	bent	Polar
Water	H₂O	O	4	bent	Polar
Hydrogen peroxide	H₂O₂	O	4	bent	Polar
Ozone	O₃	O	3	bent	Polar
Hydronium	H₃O	O	4	trigonal pyramidal	Polar
Hypochlorite	ClO	O	4	linear (diatomic)	Polar

Practice question Starting from the 14 valence electrons of ClHO, draw the Lewis structure and confirm the central O atom is sp3-hybridized with bent 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 Hypochlorous acid (CAS 7790-92-3)? Browse Supplier on Guidechem →

FAQs

Is ClHO polar or nonpolar?

Hypochlorous acid is polar. Its bent geometry (and/or unequal terminal atoms) stops the bond dipoles from cancelling.

What is the Lewis structure of Hypochlorous acid?

O–Cl single bond and O–H single bond; 2 lone pairs on O. It uses all 14 valence electrons and the preferred structure carries a formal charge of 1 on the central atom.

What is the bond angle in Hypochlorous acid?

The O angle is about ≈104.5°. Lone-pair repulsion compresses the angle from the ideal tetrahedral value.

What is the hybridization of O in Hypochlorous acid?

The conventional model is sp3. Hypochlorous acid has 4 electron domains around the central O.

What is the CAS number of Hypochlorous acid?

The CAS number is 7790-92-3. PubChem (CID 24341) and NIST identify this with ClHO; use it to locate suppliers and database records.

References

PubChem CID 24341, Hypochlorous acid. Molecular formula, CAS number, molecular weight and chemical identity.
NIST Chemistry WebBook, SRD 69, Hypochlorous acid. 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 Hypochlorous acid (CAS 7790-92-3).

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 7790-92-3 identifies the substance, not a universal purity specification.

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Hypochlorous acid Lewis Structure