Draw the Lewis structure for the ionic compound that forms from Al and F.
I know that the valence for Al is 3 and F is 7, but I am having trouble in figuring out how to draw the dot configuration.
Can someone help explain how to properly draw them? Please and thank you~

Question

Draw the Lewis structure for the ionic compound that forms from Al and F.
I know that the valence for Al is 3 and F is 7, but I am having trouble in figuring out how to draw the dot configuration.
Can someone help explain how to properly draw them? Please and thank you~

anonymous · Answer

The dot structure? Yup. Give me a sec.

anonymous · Answer

Well first, to balance out the positive 3 on the aluminum, you need to add 3 negatives in the form of fluorine ions. This will give you AlF3. |dw:1399421976671:dw|

anonymous · Answer

Florine only has 1 place to bond because it already has 7 valence electrons. (satisfy the octet rule: 8 valence electrons) By knowing this, just attach them to the center, aluminum.

anonymous · Answer

so you would have to have 3 F to satisfy the octet rule?

anonymous · Answer

No. The 3 Florine are there to balance the Al ion which is +3. Florine's charge is -1. That's why there are 3 Florine. The octet rule relates to the bonds.

anonymous · Answer

Aka the lines.

anonymous · Answer

Oh I get it now, it helps when you draw it out and explain it to me. Thanks~

anonymous · Answer

No problem! Anytime! :) If you have any other questions that aren't answered in the study group, feel free to message them to me and I'll try to get to them asap! Until then, good luck!