ICl Lewis Structure & Characteristics: 15 Complete Facts

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Iodine chloride is also called as iodine monochloride. Let us discuss about ICl lewis structure and its 15 complete facts.

ICl or iodine monochloride is an interhalogen compound which is formed by reaction with chlorine and iodine. It’s boiling point and melting point is 97.40C and 27.20C respectively. It is a reddish brown colored substance which is corrosive in nature.

Iodine chloride is used as source of electrophilic iodine, preparing iodates. Let us study about ICl lewis structure, hybridization in this article.

How to Draw ICl Lewis Structure?

Dots and lines are used to depict the Lewis structure of any compound. Let us draw the Lewis structure of ICl.

Calculate the total valence electrons

Iodine and chlorine has seven valence electrons . So total 14 electrons are there.

Draw a skeletal structure

Draw an iodine atom separated with a chlorine atom.

Making bonds and distribution of electrons

A single bond is made between the iodine and chlorine. Then distribute the remaining electrons into the atoms by satisfying its octet rule.

icl lewis structure
Lewis Structure of ICl

ICl Lewis Structure Shape

One of the factors affecting the shape of a molecule is the presence of lone pair. Let us see the shape of ICl.

The shape of ICl lewis structure is linear. The bond length between  iodine and chlorine is found to be 232.07 pm. Iodine has two polymorphs. One is alpha ICl which is like black needles and other is beta ICl which is like black platelets. All the atoms are arranged here in a zig zag manner.

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Shape of ICl

ICl Lewis Structure Formal Charge

The charge distributed to the atom in a compound is its formal charge. Let us calculate the formal charge of ICl.

The formal charge of iodine is zero. Being zero is its formal charge it’s lewis structure drawn above is correct.

The equation for finding formal charge is

  • Formal charge= valence electrons – Non bonding electrons – No of bonds
  • The formal charge of iodine = 7-6-1 = 0
  • The formal charge of chlorine = 7- 6 -1 = 0

ICl Lewis Structure Angle

The angle of a molecule can be different for different shapes. Let us see the angle of ICl.

The angle in ICl is 1800. It has a linear shape where an iodine is attached with a chlorine. Both were separated with an angle of 1800.

ICl Lewis Structure Octet Rule

Octet rule explains about the presence of eight electrons in the valence shell after bond making. Let us look ICl obeys octet or not.

ICl lewis structure obeys octet rule. Iodine and chlorine with seven electrons shares one of their electron each other to make a bond. After bond making both the atom has eight electrons in their outer shell. So ICl obeys octet rule.

ICl Lewis Structure Lone Pairs

Lone pairs can affect the shape of a molecule. Let us see the lone pair in ICl.

ICl lewis structure has six lone pairs. Iodine and chlorine has three lone pairs present in them. So in total six lone pairs or twleve non bonding electrons.

ICl Valence Electrons

Valence Electrons are the electrons embedded in the outer shell of an atom. Let us know about the valence electrons in ICl.

ICl lewis structure has fourteen valence electrons. Iodine and chlorine are electronegative atoms. Both have seven electrons in their outer shell. So in total fourteen electrons.

ICl Hybridization

On the basis of hybridisation we can predict the shape and angle of molecules. Let us discuss about the hybridisation in ICl.

ICl has sp3 hybridization. The electronic configuration of iodine is4d10 5s2 5p5 and chlorine is 3s2 3p5 . One of the 5p orbital of iodine overlaps with the 3p orbital of chlorine to form a single bond. The remaining electrons are located in the corresponding orbitals.

Is ICl Solid?

Solids usually has a rigid structure and force is applied to break their bonds. Let us see whether ICl is solid or not.

ICl is a solid which is black in colour. Sometimes it can be a reddish brown oily liquid which is oily in nature. It has pungent smell too.

Is ICl Soluble in Water?

Solubility of a gas increases with increase in pressure. Let us check whether ICl soluble in water.

ICl is soluble in water. ICl easily solubilise in water to give HCl, HI and and oxygen. In addition to water it dissolves in acetic acid, pyridine,ethanol, hydrogen chloride.

Is ICl Polar or Non Polar?

Polarity is factor which can be determined by calculating the dipole moment between the atoms. Let us see whether ICl is polar or not.

ICl is a polar compound. It is polar due to the electronegativity difference in between them. Iodine with 2.66 and chlorine with 3.16. Chlorine with more electronegative nature than iodine creates dipole moment in between them hence it is polar in nature.

Is ICl Molecular Compound?

Molecular compound or covalent compound is actually same. Let us see ICl is molecular compound or not.

ICl a Molecular Compound. It is formed by the mutual sharing of electrons between iodine and chlorine like covalent compound do.

Is ICl Acid or Base?

Acids donates H+ ions and base donates OH– ions. Let us see ICl is acid or base.

ICl is a lewis acid. It forms adducts with Lewis base like benzene and dimethyl acetamide. A lewis acid always accepts electrons from a lewis base.

Is ICl Electrolyte?

Electrolyte comprises different ions with different conductivity power. Let us see ICl is an electrolyte or not.

ICl is a good electrolyte when it is fused state. It reacts with water to form HCl which is very good in conducting electricity.

Is ICl Salt?

Salt is the resultant product of an acid and base. Let us look ICl is salt or not.

ICl is not a salt. A salt is the end product of reaction between acid and base.ICl is prepared by just reacting iodine and chlorine together. Here acid or base is not used. Hence ICl is not a salt.

Conclusion

ICl or iodine monochloride is corrosive substance used for cleaving C-Si bond, preparing chloro iodo alkanes has fourteen valence electrons in its outer shell with sp3 hybridization. The molar mass of ICl is 162.35g/mol. It’s Lewis structure is drawn here with all fine details.

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