How to write the lewis structure of carbon disulfide

1. How to write the Lewis structure
of carbon disulfide, CS2
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2. Steps to write the Lewis structure
1. Find the number of valence electrons for
each of the atoms in the molecule.
The number of valence electrons is usually the
same as the group number where the element
is located.

3. The number of valence electrons for carbon is 4 (group 4)

4. The number of valence electrons for sulfur is 6 (group 6)

5. 2. Count the total number of valence electrons
in the molecule:
Sum the valence electrons from each atom in
the molecule

6. For CS2
• Total valence e. from C: 4
4 e. x 1 C = 4
• Total valence e. from S: 6
6 e. x 1s = 6
Total valence e. in the molecule: 4 + 6 = 10

7. 3. Use the octet rule to figure how many octet
electrons the atoms should have:
Most atoms need 8 electrons to complete their
valence shield
Hydrogen is an exception and needs only 2

8. For CS2
• Carbon should have 8 valence electrons
• Sulfur should have 8 valence electrons

9. 4. Draw an initial sketch of the molecule by
placing the symbol of each atom in a diagram
For carbon disulfide, CS2
S C S

10. 5. Place the valence electrons of each
atom around them, starting from the
outer atoms

11. For CS2
• Sulfur has 6 valence electrons:

12. For CS2
• Carbon has 4 valence electrons:

13. 6. Each bond in a molecule is made up from
two electrons.
Each atom in the molecule need to be bonded
together to its nearest atom.

14. For CS2

15. For CS2

16. Bond Bond

17. Count the number of electrons each atom has after
forming a single bond:
Each sulfur atom has 7 electrons, it needs 8

18. Count the number of electrons each atom has after
forming a single bond:
Carbon atom has 6 electrons, it needs 8

19. To complete the octet we would need to pair
another couple of electrons for each sulfur
atom

20. To complete the octet we would need to pair
another couple of electrons for each sulfur
atom

21. To complete the octet we would need to pair
another couple of electrons for each sulfur
atom

22. Now count the number of electrons around
each atom: each atom should have 8
electrons

23. Each sulfur has 8 electrons around, its valence is
complete.

24. Carbon has 8 electrons around, its valence is
complete.

25. Practice writing the Lewis structure of any other
molecule!
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