Now assemble all the aforementioned points and draw the structure: Step 4: Search for the type of bond forming between the participating atoms: A triple bond is formed between the Carbon (C) atoms and a single bond between the Hydrogen (H) and Carbon (C) atoms. This explains that the structure will be linear in the shape. Step 3: Find the central atom to begin drawing the structure: As both the elements (carbon and hydrogen) are participating in equal numbers, there will be no central atom. Step 2: Search for how many more valence electrons one molecule of acetylene requires: It is 10 for a single acetylene (C2H2) molecule. Step 1: Search for the total number of valence electrons one molecule of acetylene already has: It is 10 for a single acetylene (C2H2) molecule. Now, let’s make the Lewis structure of Acetylene step-by-step: Moreover, their number within the shell depends on the octet rule which says a maximum of 8 valence electrons is the most stable condition for an atom. The farthest two shells of an atom consist of the valence electrons who participate in a bond formation either by getting shared or by donating themselves completely.
The electrons which are the farthest from the nucleus within an atom are called the valence electrons. So, the number of valence electrons for Carbon is 4 and the same for Hydrogen is 1. On the other hand, the atomic number of Hydrogen (H) is 1 where its electronic configuration is 1s1.Īs per the octet rule, each atom tries to achieve a stable condition by stabilizing the number of valence electrons, which is 8 for Carbon and 2 for Hydrogen. Carbon (C) has atomic number 6 where its electronic configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p2. To study this, first, it is crucial to know the electronic configuration of the participating elements. Lewis Structure is the pictorial representation showing how the valence electrons are participating in bond formation. To initiate, let’s begin with studying the Lewis structure of acetylene.Ĭonclusion Lewis Structure of Acetylene (C2H2) With this, it becomes crucial to understand the behavioral chemical properties of acetylene to understand why it behaves in such a specific manner. In light of the same, the recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) of acetylene is set to 2500 ppm (Ceiling) where an amount greater than this can kill human beings by becoming an asphyxiant gas. Not only it affects human beings but other living species as well disturbing various natural atmospheric cycles for whom oxygen is an integral component. To human beings, this compound is no less than an element of risk as to the existence of it in the atmosphere reduces the level of oxygen. Irrespective of being toxic, acetylene is used for welding purposes as it is flammable. As acetylene is reactive, unstable, and lighter than the air, the gas is highly flammable and leads to an explosion. It is highly reactive to atmospheric temperature and lacks oxygen being an unsaturated compound due to the presence of two carbon atoms bonded with a triple bond. Acetylene or C2H2 is the simplest alkyne and a hydrocarbon that is colorless and has a garlic-like odor.