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CHEM 121 Studioby Learn4Less · UBC CHEM 121

CHEM 121 glossary

Central atom

The atom in the middle of a skeleton, bonded to two or more other atoms. It is usually the least electronegative atom (never H), and its lone pairs and bonds decide the VSEPR shape.

CClClClCl
C is the central atom of CClX4\ce{CCl4}.

Example

In SOX3\ce{SO3} the central atom is S (EN 2.58, below O's 3.44); in OCS\ce{OCS} it is C, giving O=C=S.

See alsoSkeleton structureTerminal atomElectronegativitySteric number