What is the shape of the tlcl2+ ion

AQASUX

Using VSEPR throry please

Reply 1

Pigster

What are your thoughts?

Reply 2

AQASUX

I thought it was based on tetrahedral because i did: 3+2-1=4; and bonded to two atoms so bent. According to june 2011 mark scheme it's linear

Reply 3

charco

Study Forum Helper

Original post by AQASUX

I thought it was based on tetrahedral because i did: 3+2-1=4; and bonded to two atoms so bent. According to june 2011 mark scheme it's linear

If we assume that you mean thallium then it is in group 3, meaning that we can assume three electrons in its outer shell.

Each chlorine provides 1 electron and you must subtract one electron for the positive charge.

Hence the central atom has 3 + 2 - 1 = 4 electrons = two pairs.

It needs both of the pairs to bond the chlorine atoms hence there are no lone pairs and the ion is linear.