The central atom in a Lewis structure is usually the least electronegative atom.
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If an atom occurs only once, this atom is most likely to be the central atom (exception is hydrogen, as it can make only 1 bond [1 electron necessary to reach a noble gas electron configuration]). The atom that can form the greatest number of bonds (has the least number of valence electrons) or is the least electronegative (least likely to attract atoms).
The Lewis structure for germanium iodide (GeI4) has germanium (Ge) as the central atom surrounded by four iodine (I) atoms. Each iodine atom is bonded to the germanium atom with a single bond, and there are no lone pairs on the germanium atom.
The central atom in the Lewis dot structure of nitryl chloride (ClNO2) is nitrogen (N). Nitrogen is bonded to one oxygen atom and one chlorine atom, while the other oxygen atom is bonded to nitrogen with a double bond. The remaining oxygen atom holds a lone pair of electrons.
The Lewis structure of Cl2O7 has one central chlorine atom double-bonded to each of the outer oxygen atoms, with single bonds and lone pairs on the other oxygen atoms. The structure also has two double bonds with one oxygen atom at each end of the molecule.
Hydrogen cannot be a central atom in a Lewis structure because it can only form one bond due to its single electron. Fluorine cannot be a central atom because it is highly electronegative and prefers to be on the outside of a molecule, typically forming one bond.
The best Lewis structure for the fulminate ion (CNO-) has a formal charge of -1 on the central nitrogen atom. This is achieved by placing all three atoms in a linear structure with a triple bond between carbon and nitrogen, and a single bond between nitrogen and oxygen.
D. least electronegative atom
The Lewis structure for germanium iodide (GeI4) has germanium (Ge) as the central atom surrounded by four iodine (I) atoms. Each iodine atom is bonded to the germanium atom with a single bond, and there are no lone pairs on the germanium atom.
The central atom in the Lewis dot structure of nitryl chloride (ClNO2) is nitrogen (N). Nitrogen is bonded to one oxygen atom and one chlorine atom, while the other oxygen atom is bonded to nitrogen with a double bond. The remaining oxygen atom holds a lone pair of electrons.
The Lewis structure of Cl2O7 has one central chlorine atom double-bonded to each of the outer oxygen atoms, with single bonds and lone pairs on the other oxygen atoms. The structure also has two double bonds with one oxygen atom at each end of the molecule.
The Lewis structure for tert-butyl (tert-butyl group) is a carbon atom (central atom) bonded to three other carbon atoms and one hydrogen atom. The central carbon has a total of four single bonds, satisfying its octet. The three carbon atoms are each bonded to the central carbon, and a hydrogen atom is bonded to one of the three carbon atoms.
Hydrogen cannot be a central atom in a Lewis structure because it can only form one bond due to its single electron. Fluorine cannot be a central atom because it is highly electronegative and prefers to be on the outside of a molecule, typically forming one bond.
The Lewis structure for AX1E0 is linear, with one central atom (A) and no lone pairs or unshared electron pairs (E). This means that A is bonded to one other atom (X) with a single bond.
The correct Lewis structure for carbononitridic chloride, CClN, includes a central carbon atom bonded to a nitrogen atom and a chlorine atom, with a single bond between each atom. The carbon atom has two lone pairs of electrons.
The best Lewis structure for the fulminate ion (CNO-) has a formal charge of -1 on the central nitrogen atom. This is achieved by placing all three atoms in a linear structure with a triple bond between carbon and nitrogen, and a single bond between nitrogen and oxygen.
SF6 has no lone pairs on the central atom sulfur. It forms six bonds with fluorine atoms which gives it an octahedral geometry.
To find the central atom in a compound, identify the element that is least electronegative or least likely to form multiple bonds. This element is usually located towards the center of the molecule. In a Lewis structure, the central atom is typically the one that is connected to the most other atoms.
The Lewis structure of an atom gives a clear illustration of the valence electrons.