alleryStart learning →You are drawing a Lewis structure for a molecule with several atoms. Which atom normally goes in the center?
AThe most electronegative atom
BThe atom with the most protons
CThe atom with the fewest bonds
DThe least electronegative atom
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. The least electronegative atom
1. The central atom has to bond outward to several neighbors at once.
2. An atom that holds electrons loosely is better suited to that job.
3. Holding electrons loosely means low electronegativity, so the least electronegative atom takes the center.
4. Fluorine is the most electronegative element and is never a central atom, which shows the rule at work.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Chs 7 and 17, section 7.3 Lewis Symbols and Structures_
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