Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change 7th Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 007351117X
ISBN 13: 978-0-07351-117-7

Chapter 10 - Problems - Page 424: 10.1

Answer

He, F, and H are unable to serve as central atoms. See explanation for more details.

Work Step by Step

He, F, and H are unable to serve as central atoms. He will not work since it's a noble gas and thus doesn't form bonds with other elements. F would not work well since it only needs one more electron to get an octet, and it is unable to use d orbitals to get an "expanded octet" that wold allow it to be surrounded by more than 8 electrons. Therefore, F is limited to bonding to just one other atom. H would not be suitable since it can only bond to one other atom.
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