Chemical Bonding: AsF₃ Lewis Structure

Drawing the Lewis Structure for AsF₃ (Arsenic Trihydride)

Viewing Notes:

• The Lewis structure for AsF₃ is similar to AsCl₃ structure. Since they are in the same Group on the periodic table they each have the same number of electrons their structures are similar.
• The Arsenic atom goes in the center of the Lewis structure since it is the least electronegative atom.
• For the AsF₃ Lewis structure there are a total of 26 valence electrons available.

Transcript: This is the AsF3 Lewis structure. Arsenic (As) has five valence electrons. Fluorine has seven. We have three Fluorines. For a total of 26 valence electrons. Arsenic is the least electronegative, that'll go in the center. And we'll put the Fluorine atoms around it on outside here. We'll put two electrons between atoms to form chemical bonds. We've used 6 and then we'll go around the outer atoms to fulfill their octet. 6, 8, 10 and 24. And then back to the central atom to complete the octet on the Arsenic. 26 valence electrons. Each of the Fluorines has 8 valence electrons. So it has a full outer shell and then the central Arsenic atom also has 8 valence electrons so its octet is satisfied.

So that's the Lewis structure for AsF3. This is Dr. B., and thanks for watching.