Why Don't We Draw Double Bonds Between the Be Atom

question 92

Multiple Choice

Why don't we draw double bonds between the Be atom and the Cl atoms in BeCl₂?

• A) That would give positive formal charges to the chlorine atoms and a negative formal charge to the beryllium atom.
• B) That would result in more than eight electrons around each chlorine atom.
• C) That would result in the formal charges not adding up to zero.
• D) There aren't enough electrons.
• E) That would result in more than eight electrons around beryllium.

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Definitions:

Major Organic Products

The primary substances formed in significant quantities after the completion of an organic reaction.

Mechanism

The sequence of steps, including breaking and forming of bonds, through which a chemical reaction proceeds.

Intermediates

Chemically reactive species that are formed from the reactants and proceed to make the final product in a chemical reaction.

Electron Pushing

A technique used in organic chemistry to understand the mechanism of a reaction by showing the movement of electrons with arrows.